Florida Yankee- Not necessarily. Stay tuned and find out!

Voltagelisa: Interesting theory. You'll see.

HeidiFox: It IS a dragon priest and a word in Dragontounge. Vincent doesn't know that though. He'll need to figure that out. He's not the Dragonborn after all.

Nori-239: Goosebumps eh? Glad it was good enough!

Pyreiris: I'm glad you liked the chapter dear. I'm always glad to hear from the readers. Makes me all tingly inside. C:

Herelies: I hope everything is okay dear. I understand real life crisis and I won't be disappointed if you need to take time to deal with them. 3 Vincent teaching Vilkas to fight mages is an excellent idea. (Heeheemaystealthatideahurrhu rr) The red drain thingy? It was kind of a mix of a force push and life drain. (I don't know, I make shit up. At least that's what it looked like in my head.) I wasn't necessarily going for the sympathy death on Daric's part. Even if he was actually possessed (And I'm not saying he was.), he'd done a lot of bad things of his own volition. People can feel sympathy for Daric if they want to but eh. Not necessary.

Everyone, I am very sorry for the obvious DA2 thing I'm about to do here. Just know I wrote it…looked at it and cursed. Though I've decided to keep it. Oh well. Let's keep the ball rolling.

Chapter 25- Catching my breath

Addicted to the love I found
Heavy heart, now a weightless cloud
Making time for the ones that count
I'll spend the rest of my time
Laughing hard with the windows down
Leaving footprints all over town
Keeping faith kinda comes around
I'll spent the rest of my life

Catching my breath, letting it go, turning my cheek for the sake of the show
Now that you know, this is my life, I won't be told it's supposed to be right

Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now

-Kelly Clarkson "Catching my breath"

Vilkas woke with a start. He shot up in bed, his heart hammering against his chest. He groaned softly and shook his head, trying to clear it. That scream still echoed in his ears. What was he supposed to do? He already felt guilty enough…

"Vilkas…?" Vincent murmured, cracking open his eyes and glancing at his lover. "What is it?"

"Bad dream." Vilkas muttered sullenly.

"Again?" Vincent soothed, but his voice was fighting off sleep. He reached a hand out and caressed Vilkas' bare chest. "Want to talk about it?"

"It's the same as the last one…" He covered the gentle hand with his own and thumbed the burn marks on the inside of Vincent's palm.

"I see."

Vilkas lifted the mage's hand to his lips and caressed it against his lips. The feel of Vincent's sweet, warm skin against his mouth gave him comfort. Vilkas shut his eyes for a moment and breathed a shaky sigh.

"Do you still want to talk about it?"

"We've discussed it before. There's nothing else to say."

"…" The hand in Vilkas' grasp flexed the fingers slightly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Vilkas kissed one of his fingers. "It's not your fault."

Vincent pulled himself upright into a sitting position, exposing his midriff. He was naked under the blankets, just as Vilkas was. He took his hand back from Vilkas and stared at his lover seriously.

"It's been three weeks, Vilkas. If anyone would have been having nightmares, I thought I'd be me."

"You do have nightmares." Vilkas huffed.

"Yes, but apparently not as often as you do."

"The Gods also don't speak with you." Vilkas adopted a sour look. "If any one else heard me say that they'd think I'd lost my mind."

"Who says you haven't?" Vincent joked and poked him in the side.

"…Thanks for that…"

"Oh, knock off the scowl Vilkas." The mage rolled his eyes and then abruptly yawned.

"Go back to sleep, Vincent."

Vincent pouted. "Why?"

"Because you are obviously tired and I shouldn't be keeping our Harbinger awake at night."

Vincent snorted. "Nuts to that." He grabbed Vilkas' arm and hugged it to his body like a child would. "I'll go back to sleep if you sleep too."

"I don't think I could go back to sleep right now."

"Well then…" The mage declared with the best air of authority he could. "…allow me to distract you."

Vilkas lifted an eyebrow. "Didn't you get enough last night? Your hips must still hurt."

"I'm fine, thank you very much." He pulled the covers down a bit. "Besides, I couldn't sleep knowing you were sitting up, all brooding and naked."

Vilkas scoffed. "You're naked too."

"Well I don't care that I'M naked…"

"And I don't brood."

"What do you think you're doing now?" The mage gestured to practically all of him in a dramatic manner.

"Thinking." Vilkas replied without missing a beat and smirked slightly when Vincent huffed. Vincent starred at him for a good five minutes in silence and Vilkas rolled his eyes. "Still think I'm brooding?"

"No…I'm more stuck on the you being naked thing."

Vilkas narrowed his eyes slightly. "When did you get to have such a dirty mind?"

"I blame you." The redhead crossed his arms.

"How is that my fault?"

Vincent sighed and pushed on Vilkas' chest, trying to get him to lay back. Vilkas didn't need to move if he didn't want to but he allowed himself to be guided down. The mage instantly mounted his hips and ran his hands down the flat of Vilkas' chest, his fingers dipping around the hard muscle.

"Mmm…It's defiantly your fault…"

Vilkas rolled his eyes again but really did enjoy the feeling of Vincent touching him. "I think you've been spending too much time with Aela."

"Probably." He didn't deny it. "She gives nice gifts though."

Vilkas assumed he meant the bottles of lubricant she had violently thrust into Vilkas' hands one night at the mead hall in front of everyone.

"Use it." She spoke with that trickster smile. "Poor little Vincent won't ever walk straight again if you don't!"

Safe to say, Vilkas had wanted to murder that woman sometimes…

"Aye…" He tried not to sound sarcastic, because in reality they were good gifts. He defiantly didn't complain when they used them. "Are you really going to start this now?"

"Oh please, Vilkas. Don't pretend you're not affected by this. I AM sitting on your lap after all."

"Mmm." It was Vilkas turn to not deny it. He reached up and cupped Vincent's neck, letting his fingers caress his nape. His thumb pushed against the mark he'd made on Vincent in what feels like, an age ago. In reality it hadn't been that long…

His wolf was gone and the mark seemed useless now…but at the same time, Vilkas didn't feel like it was. His wolf was dead but Vilkas didn't feel like he was missing at all. It was better now. He didn't have headaches as often, he never had to brace his will against something inside him, he didn't have to hear that horrible howling…and yet he still heard echoes…Sometimes he felt like he could still hear the wolf's contented growl.

His hand descended down the mage's body and he smiled when Vincent arched into his touch. He gently brushed Vilkas' hand aside so he could lay flat on him and gently twirled his fingers in Vilkas' dark hair. They were nose to nose, breathing the same air and just staring at each other.

"I worry about you." Vincent spoke seriously and soothingly.

Vilkas' hands slowly came up and encircled him, trapping Vincent against him. "Aye…I know."

"It will be okay Vilkas." Vincent smiled before diving in to catch Vilkas' lips with his own.

Vilkas was inclined to agree at the moment.

While Vincent was out on a job with Farkas, it gave Vilkas some time to gather everything he needed. He wanted it to be…special? Interesting? In reality, he didn't really know…he just knew he had to do it. He'd already talked to Eorlund. The old man had grinned and eagerly set to work on the commission. It would be ready by the time Vilkas needed it. All that was left was one piece and Vilkas could think of no one better suited to helping him get it then Aela.

He approached her in the hall while she was drinking and sat down next to her. She grinned behind her mug, already knowing Vilkas must want something if he chose to sit close. There were plenty of other seats and Vilkas never willingly violated his own personal space…well...Vincent being an exception.

"Yes?" She asked, sounding amused.

"I need you to get something for me."

She set down her mug and lifted a fine eyebrow. "Are you already out of lubrication? I gave you seven bottles of the stuff!"

"Aela, that's not-"

"You two must be going at it like jackrabbits!"

Vilkas felt the color rushing to his face when he heard Ria giggle off to the side. "Shut up. That's not what I'm here for." he hissed.

"Ah…" She paused, then gained that evil smile. "But you have right?"

Vilkas stared at her incredulously. He was starting to regret this already and he hadn't even asked the favor. "Are you serious…?"

"Very."

"Don't you have anything better to do then worry about my sex life?"

"Apparently not, seeing as I had to whip your ass into gear, Vilkas."

"Aela…"

"Humor me, Vilkas. Out with it."

Vilkas grit his teeth, embarrassed and slightly peeved. He DID need a favor though so he might as well play along for now. "No, we don't need anymore and Aye we have been. Happy now?"

"Quite." She reclined in her seat and picked up her mug of mead. "So, what can I get for you?"

"It has to be a secret." Vilkas warned. "Vincent can't know and I need it within a week."

Aela blinked. "Depends what it is Vilkas. I'm not a miracle worker."

Vilkas pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Aela. She eyed him warily and slowly took it from him. Her eyes scanned the four simple words on the page and her eyes widened. Her gaze shot back up to Vilkas.

"Seriously?" She seemed generally shocked.

"Dead serious."

Aela looked back down at the paper and smiled. It was a real smile, not mixed with any devious intent. "Of course I'll get this for you Vilkas. It'll be easy."

"I appreciate it." Vilkas made to stand up but Aela grabbed his arm.

"Stay a bit. I wanted to ask you about the boss."

Vilkas remained seated and nodded. "If it's a dirty question you can forget it. I've told you enough."

"No, no. Not that." She glanced over her shoulder at Ria and Nadia, who were now engrossed in their own conversation and no longer paying the two circle members any heed. "How's he doing?"

"What do you mean…?" Vilkas hunched over in his seat slightly. "You've spoken with him recently. Surely you know."

"No one knows him like you do Vilkas. How is he REALLY dealing with this whole thing?"

"You mean about Daric."

"Yeah… I never want to ask him when I see him. He seems like it doesn't bother him. Beside the day it happened, he's acting like it didn't even happen at all."

Vilkas gave a noncommittal shrug. "The guy did send his sister to her death. He did kill Skjor and Kodlak…"

"I know, but that guy was still his friend right?"

"I think he lost that privilege long ago, Aela. To be honest, the first week he had a few nightmares. Then…nothing. I've had more nightmares about Daric's death then he has."

"You've been having nightmares about that guy?" She made a disgusted look.

"Sad to say, aye."

"What about…?"

Vilkas sighed deeply. "It's…a replay. A replay of that night we fought him." He clarified. "everything happens the same way, except he's facing me when I stab him. Its just…the look he gives me."

"What? Like a scared look? You've killed tons of men Vilkas. You've seen the light in their eyes die out. You've seen the fear. How is this any different?"

"No Aela…" He wrung his hands together. "He doesn't look scared. That's the problem."

She tilted her head to the side. "So he…"

"He…" Vilkas swallowed thickly. "He looks scared at first but then he…smiles at me. His lips stretch almost impossibly far apart and his eyes turn that hideous red color again. He laughs, but its not just his voice. The room shakes and then I always wake up."

Aela seemly took it all in. "Do you feel guilty about killing him?"

Vilkas shrugged again. "Maybe. He was screaming for help. Maybe we could have done something…"

"I don't understand Vilkas. I thought you wanted to kill him. You wanted him just as dead as Farkas and I did."

"I did want him dead." Vilkas confirmed. "I knew Vincent would never be safe as long as Cadrian and Daric drew breath. Now that one of them is gone you'd think I could rest a bit easier…" Vilkas shook his head with a humorless chuckle and looked adown at his clasped hands. "I wanted him dead, Aela…for everything he's done. But…I saw the look on Vilkas' face as he watched the light fade from Daric's eyes…as he watched him turn to ash… He looked broken."

Aela pursed her lips together and nodded grimly. "I saw it too. Have you talked to him about this?"

"Aye. He always tells me the same thing. He says he's fine."

"Maybe you should talk to him again?" She offered. "I'll go with you if you want."

"No. I'll talk with him alone, Aela. I don't want to cause a scene." He sighed and stood up. "He might not even tell me the truth."

"If he loves you he will." she offered with a slightly sad smile.

"Aye." Vilkas agreed walking off. "…if he loves me."

He found Vincent bent over the alchemy table he had installed in the Harbinger office hours after he'd returned from his job with Farkas. He was mixing some foul smelling liquid that Vilkas instantly identified as Vincent's 'medicine'. Vilkas took a moment to take in his surroundings before confronting his lover. There were books all over the desk and paper and ink laid out. The candle Vincent had lit to read by was starting to burn out and cooling wax stick to the side of the candlestick. The books didn't make any sense to Vilkas. They looked like they were all written in a foreign tongue and what he could make out seemed like history books.

His eyes turned back to the mage, who had yet to look up from his alchemy. He cleared his throat and Vincent spun around to face him. His eyes were a rich honey color today but the color closest to his pupil seemed slightly red. Vilkas tried not to flinch at the visible progression of Vincent's 'condition.'

"It's almost day three." Vilkas began. "Have you taken your medicine yet?"

"I'm making it right now." The mage smiled softly. "I got a bit caught up in my research and forgot that I'd run out."

Vilkas scowled slightly. How do you forget something like that? He waited for the mage to finish and watched him bottle at least six doses worth. One, he drank on the spot. He clenched his eyes shut and made a gagging noise. When he'd settled and re-opened his eyes, they were back to their neutral, yet still beautiful copper.

Vilkas really wanted to see those blue eyes stay someday. He'd taken a habit to watching Vincent closely during their…well…sexual conduct. Every time, Vincent's eyes would flash that brilliant and achingly beautiful blue color as he came. It was quick because the mage's eyes usually fluttered shut and when he re-opened them they were no longer blue. Now watching his mate…the man he loved have to drink medicine and constantly worry about his safety…it secretly tore Vilkas apart inside. Watching this was worse then anything his wolf could have ever done to him, silly as it sounded. He'd give anything to give Vincent and carefree life. But fate had not dealt them that hand. He had to make the best of what the Gods had given him and fight to keep the things he loved the most.

"Vilkas, is everything alright?"

Vilkas snapped out of his thoughts and saw Vincent smiling at him a bit sadly. They both knew everything wasn't alright. "No. We need to talk."

Vincent nodded, his posture going a bit stiff. Vilkas hated that. "Okay."

Vilkas ran a hand through his hair. Where to even begin. He decided to start with something simple. "What have you been working on?"

Vincent gestured to the desk. "I've been trying to make sense out of Daric's last sane words to me." He shook his head and let a scoff pass his lips. "Sane words being the key here…"

"Have you found out anything…?"

"Actually…" Vincent moved from his spot and walked over to his desk. He picked up one of the books and held it out for Vilkas to see. "I found this old book in the library. It has a lot of the time before in it. In a time of Dragons."

"Dragons eh…?" Vilkas didn't like the sound of that.

"Morokei means something in that strange old writing…See here." He pointed out the word on the page. "Unfortunately, I can't read this."

Vilkas took the book from him and examined it closely. "If it is what I think it is, only those who can speak Dragon tongue would understand this. Like, the greybeards up on the mountain." Vilkas concluded. "The jarl of Windhelm. They say he can speak the words."

"I found mention of it in one other place." Vincent pulled a slightly newer book from the desk. "Its listed here that the arch mage of the collage of Winterhold has something called Morokei. It doesn't go into specifics about what Morokei is but it says she is in possession of it."

"She?" Vilkas blinked. "I thought the arch mage was a man."

"It was, up until a few months back. Apparently he passed away and the new Arch mage was one of his promising young students." Vincent stepped behind the desk and leaned on it. "I've wrote to her yesterday and asked her to come meet me here and bring whatever it is Morokei is. I sent the courier out with the message last night. Hopefully it will reach her sometime today and I will have an answer by tomorrow, if the Gods are good."

Vilkas scowled. "You're…inviting her here…?"

Vincent frowned. "Is that a problem?"

"I don't like the idea." Vilkas answered truthfully.

"Why's that Vilkas?" Vincent's voice held no humor.

"Because she's…different and a stranger."

"A mage, you mean." Vincent corrected.

"Aye. That too." Vilkas cleared his throat, feeling the tension in the air thicken. "But mostly because she is a stranger."

Vincent sighed deeply. "I thought you'd feel by now that not all mages are bad."

"You're different."

"Ah. Am I?" Vincent's eyes were sharp and almost cold. "How am I different Vilkas?"

"I've never seen you cut down an innocent man with magic."

"Oh?" He came back from around the desk. "Cadrian made me do horrible things Vilkas. I did them without question because I felt I needed to in order to keep my sister safe. How do you know if I was no better then the mages you hate?"

Vilkas was stunned for a moment. Vincent kept eye contact, unflinchingly so. Those copper eyes were trying to be cold but Vilkas could see the pain in them. He knew that look too well. A mask is all it was. He knew, because he used to wear that mask before Vincent came into his life.

He reached out and cupped Vincent's face in his hands. He saw Vincent's body twitch at the contact and that mask crumble, ever so slightly. "Because I know you. We've all done horrible things…things we wouldn't have normally done in the name of love."

Just like that, the mask was gone. Vincent's defenses were down and he relaxed into Vilkas touch. "Just…trust me Vilkas. I feel like this is the closest chance we'll have to making sense of what Daric told me. Please, just trust me."

"I do trust you, with my life even." Vilkas leaned in and gently brushed his lips against Vincent's. It was a brief but soothing gesture and the tension ebbed away. Vilkas was unwilling to bring up the Daric subject seeing as the redhead finally relaxed but deep down, he knew he couldn't let this sit. Vincent…"

"Hmmm?" Vincent pulled back slightly so he could look into Vilkas' eyes.

"About Daric…are you sure that…you're alright?"

Vincent's full lips pulled into a straight line. He glanced behind him at the mounted Wuuthrad and the shield of Ysgramor. They had taken them back from the tomb once they had left and Vincent had the ancient weaponry mounted for display. "Vilkas…do we need to bring this up again? I'm fine."

"Tell me the truth, Vincent." Vilkas crossed his arms. "We shouldn't lie to each other."

Vincent scoffed. "So, what. You're just going to become an open book with me? Just like that?"

"Aye." Vincent spoke, surprising Vincent and himself. "If that's what it takes."

Vincent seemed to contemplate those words for a moment. "Okay. Fine. You want the truth?"

"Aye."

"I'm not okay Vilkas." He answered with a stiff shrug. "I haven't been okay for a long time. Not since I lost Grace. Daric's betrayal broke me, Vilkas. I thought I could trust him. I thought he was my friend. He claimed he did it to save me…heh." He shook his head. "I would have rather been dead."

"Vincent…"

"Truth be told Vilkas…I wanted to save Daric. Save him while there was still something left of him to save. Maybe because I wanted to honor the way he used to be. But there was no saving him, was there?" Vincent stared down at his gloved hands. "He'd condemned himself. Skjor and Kodlak's death…those were done by his hand and by his own volition. There was no redemption and there was nothing left for me to save. He was gone already."

"You sound like you loved him." Vilkas could feel bile forming in his throat at the thought.

"Like a brother only. Do not misunderstand, Vilkas. I never had romantic feelings for Daric. Maybe if he had stayed the way he was he could have had a chance but…those days are long gone and he changed for the worse. Grace told me…or…whatever Grace is now, told me that Daric's love was false and bitter. She was right and deep down I always knew. That's why I kept my distance. Something in me screamed that he was…unhinged."

"So you never loved him?"

Vincent smiled slightly. "Jealous?" Vilkas narrowed his eyes and growled, not answering. It made Vincent chuckle. "Stupid question. Sorry. No Vilkas. I never loved him in a romantic way. " we found out what M

"Good." At least the mage was smiling again. Vilkas cleared his throat adopting a more gentler tone. "Will you be okay?"

Vincent seemed to think for a moment. "I'll be better once we find out what exactly Morokei is and Cadrian is a pile of ash." He approached Vilkas again and ran a hand up his arm. Vilkas almost shivered at the contact, taking in that rich fiery scent. "But…for now as long as I have you I'll rest easy."