HeidiFox: Jussst wait. Only a few more chapters before it's all out in the open.

Kogouma: Aw, thanks. Your wish is my command!

Guest: My dear Guest, I cannot hold all these feels. Help meh.

Eragon5hadeslayer: LOL. I laughed so hard at the Disease/sexy sex time thing. You only have to wait a bit longer and this chapter is a small teaser. LOL, and I don't mind grammar Nazi's at all. I'd rather be told what I'm doing wrong and take the criticism, then continue doing it wrong and have people annoyed with me. OH, and I love Farkas too. I actually do like Farkas better then Vilkas but I like Farkas better for meXP Vilkas does…'gay' a bit better to me…not sure why. Twincest? Yes. *nods* It's pleasing but not for this story. Poor Vincent would be left out!

TeB360: I can't just give it away dear but everyone seems suspicious. I can at least say, you're not far off.

Shrimpeater: OH ALL THE FEELS! I apologize for destroying your emotions.

Alkelie: Lol! Working on it.

HereLies: I loved reading all your reviews on each chapter. You actually find my hidden symbolism and go through each part. I am impressed. I laughed and smiled broadly at each review and love how much you enjoy the story. BTW, I am also married so I get it~

Guest (2): omgokay.

Chapter 12- How long

please don't stand so close to me
I'm having trouble breathing
I'm afraid of what you'll see right now
I give you everything I am
All my broken heart beats
Until I know you understand

And I will make sure to keep my distance
Say "I love you" when you're not listening
How long can we keep this up, up, up?

-Christina Perri- Distance

A week passed before some light returned to Vincent's eyes and even then he had trouble smiling. It was only until another fortnight had passed before he appeared to be his old self again. Vilkas was inwardly relived by this development, yet had voiced no concern during the mage's reclusive periods. The past three weeks had been hell for both of them. Since that long kiss in the rain on the day of Skjor's funeral, they had barely even touched, let alone kissed.

They still shared a bed, but Vincent had curled defensively into a fetal position and refused to budge. Everything in Vilkas screamed at him to try and comfort the mage but he left it alone. He comforted the mage in his own way. Not by holding him, kissing him and telling him everything was going to be okay. No. It was in their eye contact as they glanced at one another, in the soft way their hands would touch, even if it was briefly and the ability to feel without words.

Skjor's old room was offered to Vincent, since he was a member of the circle and all but the mage had politely declined. He stated that he simply, 'wanted to stay with Vilkas' and Vilkas had not argued. He'd grown accustomed to the mage sleeping beside him and had felt empty that day he'd been absent.

Vilkas' wolf had been grating his nerves as of late, as well. It was constantly howling, calling for blood, calling to be let free and it took almost all of Vilkas' willpower to push the beast back. The wolf could feel its mate's distress and that only made the urges more powerful.

Aela had taken Vincent out a few more times, claiming that they were just hunting. Vilkas allowed this without much complaint, even though his gut burned slightly with jealousy to see them together. He trusted both Aela and Vincent to not do anything like that together but it didn't stop him from being jealous. It sometimes annoyed him how close they were becoming as they whispered in corners and went out on secret hunts together.

The paranoia from his wolf easily leaked into his subconscious and made him angry. He also remembered his conversation with Farkas and that only fueled his anger. Vincent kept so many secrets from Vilkas and it didn't seem fair. He was so close to everyone and told them everything and yet he couldn't tell Vilkas? They shared a bed, they shared space and if there was to be any feeling between them, the secrets had to stop and had to stop soon.

Because of Vincent's apparent gloom about Skjor's death, Vilkas had let the questions slide. The redhead looked like he'd burst into tears or a hysterical rant at any moment so Vilkas kept his questions to himself.

He'd watch the man he 'supposedly' (according to Farkas) loved, down that nasty smelling potion every three days and wonder to himself what the hell it was for. He respected the mage's privacy too much to pry through his things to get an answer but his patience was slowly running out. He was at wits end with all this waiting, sorrow and tension.

Then one day Vilkas sat at the table with a heavy gloom still on the air, tired to all hells from the amount of willpower he was spending to keep his wolf leeched, when suddenly Vincent had walked past and gained his immediate attention. They met eyes and peace began when Vincent's lips curved up into a soft smile. The gloom faded and it was if a ray of light had entered the room. Things only got better from there on out.

The life seemed to return to Jorrvaskr with time and Aela stopped taking Vincent out so much. They still hung around one another but they did not go on their little 'adventures' so much. They seemed to have gained a strong comradely in these past three weeks and as long as it stayed purely as friendship, Vilkas was okay with it.

Vilkas watched them now from his seat at the table. He was nursing a mug of mead and Vincent and Aela were sitting next to him, laughing about some joke Eorlund had made earlier. Vincent's laugh was refreshing to hear and made the corner of his lips twitch up. Vincent had even begun curling out of his fetal position in favor of holding on to Vilkas at night. It was…cute and it took a lot of willpower not to pounce on him to have his filthy way with the man.

Every caress, be it accidental or intentional, was beginning to have a profound affect on Vilkas' body. Poor Vincent didn't seem to have a clue which added to his frustration and if he did, then Vincent was good at hiding it. If that was the case, then Vilkas no longer thought he was a 'poor little thing'. Devious bastard was more like it.

"Vilkas? Are you listening?"

Vilkas snapped out of his thoughts to find Aela and Vincent starring at him. He blinked at them and raised an eyebrow. "Hum?"

"Told you he wasn't listening." Vincent smirked and held out his hand.

Aela huffed and produced three gold before handing them over with a scowl. "Damnit, Vilkas. I figured you'd be paying close attention."

Vilkas blinked confused. "Were you betting?"

Vincent nodded and pocketed the money. He stuck his tongue out at Aela playfully before scooting closer to Vilkas with a wiry grin. "I can always tell when you're not paying attention."

Vilkas huffed and half-heartedly glared at the mage. "How's that?"

Vincent's grin turned coy and Vilkas was inwardly relived to see it. It had been so long since he smiled at Vilkas like that…although that usually meant the mage was about to do something mischievous, piss him off or turn him on. What a complicated relationship they led.

"I like watching you. It's like a pastime." Vincent thought for a moment. "I'm grump watching."

"You're what?"

Vincent laughed and put his chin on Vilkas' shoulder. "Grump watching."

Vilkas' eyebrows furrowed and he tried not to focus too much on Vincent's addicting scent. "I'm not grumpy."

"Yes you are."

"I'm not."

"You are." Aela interjected.

"They're right." Farkas chimed in as he sat on the other side of Vilkas.

"To oblivion with all of you." Vilkas huffed and drank some of his mead.

They all shared a laugh at Vilkas' expense as Kodlak was walking up. Vilkas' eyes flicked up and saw the old man smiling fondly at the scene, obviously relived that they were all getting along. Somewhere in the pit of his gut, Vilkas felt guilty. It was sad that it took the death of someone close to them to bring this them together this way.

"Good to see everyone getting along." Kodlak smiled, not unlike a proud father. "Now, I have work for all of you-" He chuckled as Farkas 'booed'. "Aela, a man needs his heirloom found and returned. I'm assigning Vincent to go with you and Vilkas, a strange man down by Loreius farm is causing problems. Remove him. I'm assuming you'll want to take Farkas?"

"Actually…" Aela spoke before Vilkas had the chance to. "I think Vincent should go with Vilkas and I should take Farkas."

Vilkas stared at her and found her grin unsettling. What the hell was going on….?

Kodlak blinked. "Well…sure. Are you okay with this Vilkas?"

Vilkas nodded without really thinking. He was more suspicious about what Aela was planning…but the idea of being near Vincent was appealing. Kodlak agreed then and set them out on their tasks. Vilkas bolted up, startling Vincent and grabbed Aela's arm before she could retreat. "What's that all about?"

"What's what all about?" Her grin did not fade.

"You're planning something…aren't you?"

"No." She shrugged. "I just think Vincent would be better for your job. That's all. Let's go Farkas."

"Yeah." Farkas pat Vilkas on the shoulder quickly and Vilkas reluctantly let go of Aela so they could leave.

"Guess it's you and me, Vilkas." The redhead stated a bit too sweetly to be coincidental. Him and Aela must have planned this somehow…or he was just being paranoid.

Vilkas grunted in confirmation and grabbed his sword. He slung it over his shoulder and into its holster and then finished his mead in a single gulp. Then he headed outside with the mage in tow.

"I don't know how you can drink Mead so fast and be unaffected. I'd be slurring if I drank that fast." Vincent spoke, keeping pace with him.

"You're not a Nord." Vilkas let a small ghost of a smile come to his lips. As much as he hated to admit it, he did feel better when Vincent was around.

"That has nothing to do with it." The mage huffed. "Others can drink Nord mead just as well."

"Not as well as a Nord. Hence the name, 'Nord mead.'"

Vincent rolled his eyes. "Still doesn't mean anything."

"Then you're just a lightweight then."

Vincent playfully shoved Vilkas' arm. "Shut up."

His pulse suddenly raced as Vilkas almost shoved back. But his hand suddenly stopped mid-raise. The smallest nudge had peaked his aggressiveness and he feared how hard he may actually hit. His wolf had stirred and awoken much to Vilkas' dismay and he let his arm fall back limply at his side. If he shoved, even playfully, he might hurt him…and if he didn't hurt him and this little play fight continued…Vilkas couldn't be held accountable for tackling the mage to the dirt.

His arm was nudged again and a growl leaked out from the contact. His nerves were suddenly on fire and he wanted Vincent. RIGHT. NOW. His scent was suddenly so strong, his touches like electricity and his closeness was intoxicating. His wolf growled in arousal and it made Vilkas grit his teeth.

"Vilkas?" That honeyed voice sent a small shutter down his spine and Vincent's gloved hand was resting on his arm now. Vincent was still talking but he could barely hear Vincent speak over the howls of his wolf.

Claim him, take him… right here and now.

He suddenly ripped his arm away from the mages' grip and put a hand to his head. He wanted to scream at how loud the howls inside his head were. He squeezed his eyes shut and gnashed his teeth together. Please stop! Stop howling! All he could hear was his heart thudding and those horrible agonizing howls!

"Vilkas?"

It suddenly stopped in an instant. He blinked, surprised that the wolf had suddenly halted it's assault. Internal attacks that bad usually lasted hours…He pulled his hands away from his head and slowly looked over to Vincent. Vincent was a step of two behind him now, his hand still out and motionless from when Vilkas tore his arm away. Vilkas felt his stomach burn in guilt. He'd just gotten Vincent to smile again and now he was going to ruin it because he couldn't control his damn self.

"I'm fine…" his voice was huskier then he could have liked and he wasn't sure if it was his imagination but he thought he saw the mage shiver at the sound. "Lets just get this done…"

"Okay."

They walked in silence for a while. They exited the gates of Whiterun and headed down the large hill just like they had the day of Vincent's coronation. Vilkas had looked up at the cloud covered sky and sighed. The rain was gone but they were not past the storm yet. Why did this have to be so hard and awkward…?

He finally trusted himself to speak and looked over his shoulder at Vincent. "So you and Aela are close now, hum?"

Vincent looked up, surprised that he was being spoken to. "Yes, I suppose."

"She's come a long way from not wanting you in the circle…"

"We've bonded on the mission that Skjor…" He stopped and shook his head. "We're okay now…her and I. I'm still not one hundred percent sure that she wants me in the circle still but she's accepted that there is no further say in the matter. I've since proved myself and she's seen first hand."

"Where have the two of you been going?" He couldn't help himself and had to ask.

"Don't be so suspicious, Vilkas."

"I'm not. You just come home reeking of blood…"

"It's not my blood."

"I know."

"Then don't worry."

Vilkas suddenly stopped and Vincent almost plowed into his back. His fists clenched at his sides and he had just about had enough of this secret bullshit! He whirled around with a furious look and saw Vincent's eyes widen slightly.

"None of my business then?" He practically hissed. "Do I need to remind you that you ARE my business?"

"Vilkas…listen it-"

"No. You tell me where you've been going with her. I'm not asking you to tell me why you whimper in your sleep or what is in that god's awful medicine you drink." He saw Vincent's face contort slightly with a look of guilt but he paid it no heed and continued. "These are all questions I want the answers to, but for now I just want to know where you've been going with her and why you can't tell me."

"I…I just…" Vincent looked away and sighed heavily. He gently lifted his hand and placed it on Vilkas' arm. Vilkas flinched slightly at the warm inviting contact but pushed it aside for now. Thankfully his wolf was still quiet.

"You just what?"

"I don't want you to be mad." He finished. His hand soothingly (or tried to be) rubbed Vilkas' arm. "You have to promise not to tell anyone."

"That depends."

The redhead's look turned desperate. "Please Vilkas. Promise you wont tell and I'll tell you where we've been going."

Vilkas huffed and grabbed Vincent's hand to still it on his arm. He couldn't concentrate with that persistent rubbing… "Fine."

"Promise you wont be mad…"

"No promises on that. Now out with it."

"Aela and I…we've been….hunting down the silver hand."

Vilkas wasn't sure if he even heard right. "You…what?"

"We've been hunting down the Silver hand. We stole their plan book and everything…We're going to route them out and destroy them."

Vilkas wasn't mad. Surprisingly so.….just confused. "This is…unlike you. Did Aela talk you into this?"

"No. She suggested it and I agreed to it. It was right after we found Skjor…"

"The Silver hand is sure to retaliate…" He still had a grip on Vincent's hand and decided to resume walking, dragging the mage along behind him. Vincent easily started to keep pace with him.

"You weren't there." He protested. "If the silver hand had done something so horrible to your brother...or to Kodlak, you'd want revenge right?"

"Nothing could save them from me." He concluded.

"It's the same with me. They are monsters, Vilkas. They don't care who they hurt as long as they kill people like us."

"Like us? You mean the circle?"

"I'm in the circle now." Vincent huffed. "I don't think they'd care and just assume."

"Right."

"Vilkas…" Vincent tugged slightly on the hand that held his own. "Are you mad?"

"No." Vilkas concluded. "But I don't like you keeping something like this from me. You could have told me…"

"Aela was sure you'd run to Kodlak."

"I wont since you made me promise but I do think he needs to know…if he doesn't already."

Vincent met his eyes and blinked. "Pardon?"

"He's a smart old man. He knows more then you give him credit for."

A small smile came to Vincent's lips and he nodded in confirmation. "Okay… I'll go talk to him tomorrow."

"Lets…" Vilkas grumbled under his breath, attempting to process all the information gathered. "…Get this job done…so we can head back. Alright?"

"Yes…"

Then their hands separated.

They walked in silence the rest of the way there though the mood had lifted. Vilkas would occasionally glace over his shoulder at the mage. Their eyes would meet and Vincent would smile so pretty for him, before glancing down at the ground shyly. Vilkas found himself smiling too…almost at how stupid this seemed. He thought of how ridiculous this was in his head but how he couldn't help but act like a teenager. Kids chased each other, flirted and behaved shyly around the one they liked. Vincent and him were grown men but they certainly weren't acting like it.

Suddenly the mage looked up and pointed ahead. "Vilkas…don't look now but I think that's the disturbance…."

Of course Vilkas looked and raised an eyebrow. There was a huge cart, toting some kind of big wooden crate. It was obviously missing a wheel and had careened to the side of the path. Standing in the middle of the road, jabbering loudly to himself was a jester….which was incredibly odd seeing as no man of merriment had been in Skyrim for years.

Unfortunately for the pair, the Jester spotted them and waved incessantly. "Hey! You there! Hello! Can you gentlemen please help poor Cicero?"

Vincent glanced at Vilkas and Vilkas glanced back. He got a bad vibe from this man but he did seem like he was in some need to assistance. Was he the one who called for companion help? Odd…and unlikely. He could see Loreius farm, just ahead though so maybe this was the man they were meant to remove? Vilkas shrugged at Vincent and let the mage do the talking. He might crush this weirdo's skull in frustration today.

"I suppose we can…" the redhead vestured closer but not close enough to touch. "What's the problem…?"

"Poor Cicero is stuck! Stuck! I was trying to get my poor mother to another grave and this DAMNED wagon wheel! Oh poor mother!"

"Uh…." Vincent looked around for a moment. The look on his face told Vilkas everything. This is ridiculous and strange as hell. "I don't have any tools to help or anything…"

"Vantus Loreius does!" the jester proclaimed and pointed up at the farm with a rapidly shaking hand. "He will not help poor Cicero!"

"Why not?"

"I do not know…" His voice was suddenly low and although still plagued with a vague madness it had a ring of eerie intelligence to it. Then it was gone and he bounced about. "Will you help Cicero, stranger?! Will you talk to Loreius for me?"

"I could do that…" Vincent backed away toward Vilkas slightly. Vilkas was ready to wrap his arms around the mage and glare at the strange jester but he held the impulse at bay.

"Oh, thank you! THANK YOU!" he did a little jig. " There will be gold in it for you if he helps!"

Vincent retreated back to Vilkas' side and they both made their way up the hill to the farm.

"Should we help him?" Vilkas hissed when they were out of ear shot.

"What choice do we have? He's obviously a bit whacked out of his noodle and he needs help. It's not right to turn him down just because he's a bit loopy."

"Leave it to you to sympathize with madmen."

"Vilkas…"

They stopped at the front door and Vilkas knocked. "Really now…" He continued the conversation while they waited. "There's something off about him…something dangerous. I can smell it on him."

"It's not our place to judge him."

"You're right, but what if he's a murderer or something and that crate is filled with victims?"

"That seems a bit farfetched, Vilkas."

"Maybe so." Vilkas shrugged. "I still don't like it."

The door opened and a Imperial man stepped out. He glared at the two of them suspiciously so Vincent cleared his throat.

"Hello sir, we're-"

"Are you the companions, I hired?"

"Well…yes."

"You don't look like much." He eyed Vincent carefully. "I was figuring you'd both be big muscled Nords."

Vincent smiled. "Surprise!"

Loreius did not look amused. In fact he glared at the redhead. "Doesn't matter I guess as long as you get the job done." he looked Vincent up and down and scowled deeply. " You've met that man down there. Cicero?"

"We have." Vilkas answered, crossing his arms and not liking the way this man talked or looked at Vincent.

"I want him removed."

"With all due respect, sir…" Vincent insisted. "If you just helped him fix the cart, I think he'd go on his way."

"Help him?" he scoffed. "Have you seen him?! The way he dresses, his so called 'mother'? Who knows what could be in that crate! Anything! If it's something illegal, I don't want to get caught up in it! Just…DO what I hired you for and get rid of him!"

Vilkas nodded. It shouldn't be too hard to remove the fool but Vincent started to insist. Gods, bless him.

"Look, he needs your help! You can't judge him by his appearance and what you MAY think he's doing." He put his gloved hands on his hips and frowned at the imperial. "He could be sincere and yes, he's a bit crazy, any one could see that but that doesn't mean you should refuse to help him."

Vilkas remained silent. It was…interesting. He didn't want to admit it but the mage was correct and by the look on Loreius' face, he must have felt it too.

"B-but what if he's…" Loreius scowl deepened but a slightly guilty look stayed on his face.

"Help him." Vincent insisted. "It's the right thing to do."

"You're right…It was…un-neighborly for me not to help him. Go tell Cicero that I'll be down in a while and that I'm sorry." The man gently shut his door and Vincent stormed back down the hill with a look of triumph. Well shit. His mate had a pair of balls on him…

"Good news, Cicero." Vincent spoke when they reached the fool again. " He agreed to help fix your wagon."

"Oh…OH..OHHHH! THANK YOU STRANGER!" Cicero was on Vincent quicker than either could react and hugged the poor mage tightly. Vilkas felt himself snap and growl. He wrenched the mage from the fool's grip and held him tightly at his side. He was vaguely aware that he could still hear himself growling but he was focused on the fool and his movements. Cicero's hands flew up defensively yet he was still grinning. "Oh, so sorry. I've angered the hound it seems. He's the gold promised and thank you stranger! Mother thanks you both…"

Cicero flicked the gold to Vilkas and the angered man caught it easily with one hand. Then he started dragging a startled Vincent away and down the road, hating how Cicero waved until they were out of sight.

"Vilkas. Stop. Let go."

"No."

"Vilkas!"

Vilkas suddenly stopped walking but didn't let go of the Mages' wrist. "What?" He growled again and knew he saw the redhead shutter this time. So that's how it was….

"He's like a child. You didn't have to get so angry!"

"He was touching you."

"So? You're going to attack and growl at every person who touches me?"

Vilkas bit back another growl. He really didn't want to talk about this right now. "…."

"Wait…" Vincent ripped his wrist away from Vilkas' grip with some difficulty. "You're not jealous of him, are you?"

"I'm not." Vilkas' fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, his wolf still thankfully silent.

"You need to trust me Vilkas. There was no harm in letting the fool give me a hug."

"I didn't want him touching you." Vilkas tried to keep his voice flat an even. "That's all."

"That's it?"

"Aye."

Vincent stared at him for a good minute before speaking. "Give me a good reason that I shouldn't slap you silly."

Vilkas was slightly taken aback. "You'd have to be able to hit me first." seemed the natural response.

"You're not that fast, Vilkas."

"Neither are you…" he let another subtle growl pass his lips and watched his mate's reaction.

Vincent was on him in a heartbeat but not in the way that one would suspect. Vilkas could have moved… could have dodged… but Vincent's movement's held no actual malice to them. So he let them collide. Their lips clashed together as he thought they would and he wrapped his arms tightly aground the mage's waist. Neither seemed to care as Vincent fisted his hands in the Vilkas' hair and drew himself closer if possible.

They were far away enough from Whiterun and that fool that Vilkas didn't worry about the openly public display of affection. So, they just stayed there awhile. Their lips were gently caressing as the aggressiveness formed from the conversation had vanished. The world around them seemed to ebb away as Vilkas lost himself in the feel of his mate's mouth.

"Why can't you just admit you're jealous..?" Vincent spoke softly between their lips.

Vilkas connected their lips again instead of answering and moved one hand up to hold Vincent by the nape of his neck. He played with the soft crimson hair there and felt Vincent smile against his mouth. He felt Vincent's hands move to encircle his back and gently claw at his armor, as if trying to find a place to dig his nails in. Vilkas thanked the Gods that he couldn't. Vilkas was pretty sure he'd loose it if scratching suddenly came into the picture.

Then suddenly…that feeling returned. That feeling of being watched but only this time it was burning and hot. It felt like someone was glaring at him and practically burring a hole in the back of his head. His wolf must have felt it too because it stirred and growled.

Vilkas' eyes opened and glanced down at the mage without parting their lips. Vincent's eyes were serenely shut as his pretty little mouth moved against Vilkas'. It made the werewolf groan softly and there was nothing he wanted more then to just get lost in the feeling of his mate now…but something was wrong. The burning stare was still present so he reluctantly pulled his mouth away.

He saw Vincent's head fall forward slightly as if to connect again but he caught himself and those copper eyes opened, slightly hazy with arousal and serenity. Vilkas managed to tear his eyes away from the sight and glanced around them. The hair on his nape was standing on end but the seething feeling started to fade until it was gone entirely.

"Vilkas?"

"It's…nothing."

"It's going to rain again…"

Vilkas looked back, slightly surprised and caressed the redhead's cold cheek and hair with his fingertips. "How can you tell…?"

"Leaves on the tree's bend to receive water when it's about to rain. It's in the air…cant you smell it?"

"I was a bit…distracted."

Vincent smiled and looped his arms around Vilkas' shoulders. "Take me back and we'll continue indoors?"

"How old are you anyway?"

Vilkas looked up from his mead and glanced at the mage seated beside him. They were seated in the mead hall and night had fallen by the time they'd got back. Aela and Farkas had come back earlier and retired to their respective quarters. Even Torvar and Athis seemed too tired today to drink so that left them alone upstairs. The fire pit was still lit but they had decided to blow out the candles and pull chairs closer to the fire.

Vincent was nursing his own cup on mead and wore a pretty smile on his face as he watched Vilkas. The light of the fire was dancing off his hair and skin, making him look radiant. Vilkas wasn't sure if that was the wolf influencing his thoughts about the mage or if those thoughts were really his own…

"How old am I?" Vilkas repeated and tore his eye away from the vision.

"That's right."

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm just curious." He heard Vincent shift slightly in the chair.

"And if I don't want to tell you?"

"I ask Farkas instead? After all, you are the same age…"

"Ah. I see." He looked back up in time to see the mage chuckle and down some of his mead. "Don't have to much of that. It'll go to your head."

"Don't avoid the question." Vincent winked and put the mead aside. "Tell me."

Vilkas didn't see why this mattered but he answered anyway. "Farkas and I are twenty-five." Vincent instantly snorted and made Vilkas raise a brow. "What?"

"I thought you'd be older."

"Do I look older?"

"Yes."

"How much older?"

"I figured you'd be in your thirties at least."

"Well, I'm not." Vilkas wasn't sure whether or not he should be offended. He decided not to be and set his own mug aside.

He glanced at the mage and saw Vincent's head cock to the side slightly when they met eyes. He lifted his hand and held it out slightly. Within a moment, Vincent rose from his seat and seated himself on Vilkas' lap without a word. Vilkas' outstretched hand instantly rested on Vincent's hip to keep him stable while sitting there. The action no longer felt awkward and Vilkas didn't even need to pat his own lap anymore.

"Can I have some of your mead? I finished mine." Vincent asked, looping one of his arms around Vilkas' shoulders for support.

Vilkas reached over to where he'd set his mug down without dislodging the redhead from his lap and handed it over to him. "Careful not to get drunk."

"I sleep better when I am." Vincent sighed and took a long gulp out of it. He sighed again at the look Vilkas gave him. "I promise I wont though. I'll stop when I start to feel dizzy."

Vilkas scoffed and rubbed Vincent's hip gently. The fabric of Vincent's coat caressed his fingers and gave him slight pause. "Where did you get this coat?"

"Hum?"

"It is…obviously special to you. You always wear it."

Those copper eyes glanced down into the mug as if it held all the answers. "My sister."

"What?"

"My sister made it. Knitted it for me."

"Oh."

"It is special to me because she made it special. It took her years to scrounge around enough gold to pay for the material. At first I thought she was knitting herself a blanket or something else useful." He smiled a gentle understanding smile and twirled the mug in his hands. "When I found out what she was making and that it was for me, I told her to stop. High Rock was not as cold as Skyrim and I didn't need a coat when working on the farms." He shook his head and half chuckled. "She was stubborn though. Just like you, Vilkas. Once she had a thought or an idea, it was near impossibly to deter her from course. She finished the coat and thrust it into my arms. She told me…"

Vilkas looked up at Vincent silently. He knew this couldn't be easy to talk about… "What did she say?"

"She…" The redhead cleared his throat. "She said that 'I made it, so you better wear it!'" he chuckled almost humorlessly. "It was the ugliest, most garish outfit I've ever worn…but I love it because she made it just for me…"

Vilkas wasn't really sure what to say. He wanted to make Vincent happy and he knew the memories of his late sister was probably not helping him.

"So, how old are you then?" Vilkas asked, changing the subject and rubbing the mage's hip in an odd attempt to soothe him. Hey, at least he was trying.

"Do you think I'm younger or older then you, Vilkas?"

"Well…" Vilkas began. "By the look of you, I'd guess you were younger."

"Wrong." Finally light returned to his eyes. "I'm twenty-seven. I'm two years older."

"…."

"Surprised?"

"Very."

"Well, I'm not lying."

"I believe you." Vilkas looked into the fire and sighed. "I know you don't want to talk about it…but I could stand to know more about you." He felt Vincent stiffen on his lap slightly so he rubbed his hip gently. "If you don't want to…"

"No…No. It's…probably best you do know." Vincent gave the mug to Vilkas and Vilkas downed the contents in one gulp before setting it aside.

"So?"

"The man who…adopted me…"

"Cadrian. Right?"

"Right. Cadrian Belemonde." He spoke with his voice teetering on mockery and distaste. "Noblemen, philanthropist, master wizard and…" He paused. "…A complete and utter jackass."

"I take it you hate him." Vilkas spoke obviously in an attempt to clear the air.

"To put it lightly. I should have never left. We should have never gone with him. I just kept thinking…that Grace could get the care she needs if we do…even though everything in me screamed it was wrong." he bit his lip and rested his head against the crook in Vilkas' neck. "My time there was a nightmare. He wanted to find an apprentice to carry on his legacy. I wasn't the only boy he adopted. We all had to study magic, be put through rigorous training and practically be his servants."

"Did you win?"

"…All I could think about was caring for grace and if winning this apprenticeship got me what I needed, I was going to do it. Before I left, it was down to me and one other boy."

"What happened to the other boys?"

"They died." He spoke hollowly. "some died from master spells backfiring…two committed suicide….Cadrian killed one on the first day for messing up a novice spell and spilling water on his shoes… and some just….vanished. We figured they ran away but I could have sworn that I could hear them at night… screaming faintly as if carried on the wind."

Vilkas instantly wrapped his arm tighter around Vincent. "I see."

"Cadrian is everything you hate in a mages…and during my time with him I regretted many things that happened…but they all led me here…so…a-and I…found the companions…I found…" He let his words die off there but they locked eyes for a moment and everything unspoken drifted between them.

They both knew it now…but neither were ready to confess.