A/N Sorry for the late updates, being an adult is hard.

Pt 2

"Who was that" Skwisgaar looked up to his Chieftain on his overly sized thrown.

"Abbi Remmel. She had been married to a Chief before he had died. Though against customs, they kept her as the head of the clan." Bergson did not even look at the taller man while he talked, his eyes remained glued to the door where Remmel had exited. He had no brutish words to say or gross remarks, he remained silent until he got off his seat and walked to his own chambers.

His men stayed in the hall to talk amongst themselves, including Skwisgaar. He stood in a corner not participating but eaves dropping.

"There was a huge battle and she was at the front-"

"Her hand was hammered off"

"No, I heard her husband did it to ruin her beauty"

"Idiot! It was in battle"

"It was in a raid and she had an accident with a battle axe!"

Skwisgaar decided that he wasn't going to any straight information and left the hall.

On his way to the house he wondered where Toki had gone. Maybe he ran away.. But where would he go? Besides if someone saw him wandering around town they would return him. Unless he went to the forest, but he couldn't survive with the wolves. The thought sent shivers up his spine. What would he do if Toki was killed by wolves? He paused in his walking. He would feel.. well bad. No. No.. He shook his head and refused to think about Toki and wolves. Toki was fine, he was sure of it.

He hesitated as he reached his door. What would he do if Toki was still not there? He would have to go search for him, but he had no idea where to even start. He held his breadth as he opened the door. He sighed in relief as he saw the younger man sitting in a corner with Ettoye. He stroked her fur as the disfigured wolf whined but did not move.

"What are-" Skwisgaar began but was shushed by his slave. Toki returned to stroking the fur of the wolf and whispering calm words in her ear.

"Its okay.. its aright.. they are ready" Toki would whisper over and over. The wolf gave a few more whines before she lift her back leg. Skwisgaar was interested on what was happening before him so he peered closer. It was one of the biggest mistakes he could have made.

Ettøye whimpered as she birthed her first pup. The blonde reared back in disgust, he didn't even know the wolf was pregnant. He nearly vomited as he saw the pup moving around in a clear gooey sack. Ettøye licked and bit at the coating of her pup. His yips were small as he cried for his mother. She licked at him to as if to say she was there. She gave a few more whimpers as she popped out another and repeated the process. She had two more pups in the corner with Toki stroking her fur and comforting her with soft words and cheers . She nuzzled her last two but cried when neither moved. Silently, Toki picked them up and went to bury them outside.

When he returned Ettøye was nursing her only two pups. He gave her some blankets so she could make a nice nesting area for her and her babies. When everything had calmed he remained silent, refusing to look at Skwisgaar.

"So is this what you were doing all morning?" The blonde asked finding the silence, well awkward. Toki nodded but didn't look up.

"I built her a den in the forest. When she is well enough ,she will take her pups and live outside." Toki said sadly.

"What!? Why?" Skwisgaar couldn't believe what he was hearing. Ettøye was no longer going to be with them.

"Its how wolves are, they birth puppies and keep them safe outside where they learn to hunt for themselves."

"But she has been living with us her whole life, she wont survive"

"She can hunt on her own, and she has her own natural instinct."

"I don't think this is a good idea"

"Neither is having three grown wolves living with you, when you can barely take care of yourself" Toki's words were bitter, which fazed the blonde. He sat for a moment looking like confused fish, at the brunette who refused to return the eye contact.

"I-"

"The den is not far, she will visit. You can have your pets" Toki rose from where he crouched and walked outside, slamming the door as he left.

"Pets?" He looked at the door and then at Ettøye who was falling asleep with her pups right at her side.

"Ettøye, you are not a pet." Skwisgaar wanted to say that she was family, and how hurt he would be when she leaves, but his pride got the better of him. Even though he was talking to a sleeping wolf who would never tell anyone, he felt embarrassed saying he cared about her. He grabbed the lyre from where Toki delicately placed it by the bed, and played with the strings. The sound was strong, like a roar or a clap of thunder. He plucked at a few more strings before his fingers began to dance. The strong hum of the rhythm was nearly euphoric as he lost himself in the music. He couldn't remember why he was so mad at Toki last night, all he knew now was that he wanted to embrace them man. To hug him and celebrate this new experience with music. Then they could play together with Toki on his har-. Skwisgaar stopped suddenly, and ran his sore fingers over the sleeping rabbit. Before winter Skwisgaar had a Harp specially made for Toki,and kept it hidden until Jul. Toki was so excited he gave his old harp to Elis' daughter and refused to part with his new one, even going to bed with it. Finding that Toki would ruin such a piece of art made him furious, he didn't care for his own lyre as much as he cared for Toki's harp. He was upset and angry, he rose and contemplated setting the instrument on fire. He set the instrument in a chair across the room out of his sight. He laid down on his bed, burying his face in the blankets, as he tried to calm himself down. After a few minutes he had fallen asleep.

**"Skwisgaar?" Toki slowly opened the door and quietly walked in. He saw Ettøye sleeping in the corner and sighed. He went to go check up on her den, making sure no animal claimed it as their own and covered it with their scent. He needed to clear his head. He couldn't understand why Skwisgaar was so angry. He fixed his lyre and apologized for the fight and breaking it. When he woke up the previous morning he was in so much pain, he could barely move and Skwisgaar was no where to be found. He laid in bed for a good hour until he sucked it up and got up. He slowly and carefully changed the bloodied sheets, and dressed himself. He wanted to eat but, he knew if he tried he would vomit all over the floor. He remembered the fight with Banki and rushed as fast as he could to the hill, only to find that no one was there waiting for him. Only a few people talking quietly among themselves about a fight or something. He was confused and wondered if he got the day wrong. He decided to go home and wait for his master to clear up the confusion for him. He cleaned the house as he normally did when Skwisgaar was out and about and waited for his quick return. But he was too impatient, and excited for his master to come back he would walk around fidget. Until he stepped on a piece of the broken Lyre. An amazing idea formed in his head. He would fix it and surprise Skwisgaar with it, and then he would be so happy he would embrace him. At least that was the plan. Toki walked the short distance to their neighbour's. They were boat builders and would sometimes make sculptures out of the wood that was left over. After fixing most of the lyre they told him that they had no wood that would fit a certain part. Toki said he would look for some, so they gave him some sap and said their goodbyes. After a few hours Toki was fed up with the lyre. He glared at the broken instrument from where he sat on the floor. Ettøye was in the corner getting comfortable, when she knocked over Toki's harp. Toki went to retrieve it before it was crushed by the wolf when he saw it. The sleeping rabbit which was delicately carved into the sound box. Toki grabbed a knife and cut out the rabbit, into the shape of the missing piece. The harps wood was heavier, giving the instrument a deeper sound, but it worked. Sadly Toki's harp could never be played again, despite sticking pieces together. He thought Skwisgaar would be thrilled, he was so excited to show him. Then, he came home. And the result was not expected. Toki was crushed. Why, would he be angry at him still. They had sex, you cant get any closer to a man than to be one with a man. As he slept that night, he came to a revelation, he was just another sex partner for the man. Which angered Toki, more than when Skwisgaar risked the life of his slave against Banki. He felt used, like, well a slave. He bathed that morning, and went for a walk with Ettøye. After building a den he knew it was time for her birth. He just didn't expect Skwisgaar to come home earlier than his usual midday.

Toki glanced at Skwisgaar who was now sleeping face down on the bed and felt all the anger he had bottled up subside. It was there, but it wasn't as strong. He slowly crept onto the bed next to the sleeping Skwisgaar and softly braided his hair.

Skwisgaar was stirred awake with a soothing feeling coming from his scalp. He opened one eye and turned to Toki.

"What are you doing?" He voice was hoarse from sleep but there was no annoyance in his words.

"Your hair is going to get tangled, so I am braiding it" Toki still refused to make any eye contact as he continued to braid.

"mm, what if I wanted it to be tangled" Still drowsy, Skwisgaar was relaxed into Toki's touch.

"Then, you would still complain in the morning when I would comb it."

"I only have you comb it because you like to play with my hair." Skwisgaar smiled.

"I don't like playing with your hair"

"No? No one asked you to braid my hair right now. Theses braids are to loose anyway, they are going to come out. You are going to have to start over"Skwisgaar sat up and manoeuvred in front of Toki. The younger man began to braid tighter, no longer focusing on the beauty of the golden strands but on the structure of the braids.

"Where did you go" Skwisgaar spoke softly, almost wishing Toki wouldn't hear him.

"To check up on Ettoye's den."

"Is it, well, good"

"She will be happy. There is enough room for her and her pups."

There was silence again. Toki was almost finishing up when he caught a glimpse of a few bruises on the back of his master's neck.

"When did you get those"

"Get wha-" Skwisgaar hissed as the younger man pressed hard on a bruise.

"I got them yesterday"

"So It wasn't from-"

"No, but you did aim mostly for my face" Skwisgaar lightly touched his nose, Toki didn't break it but the fight with Banki sure cracked something.

"So where did you get them?"

"You know.. out and about"

"I don't think you can get these bruises from having sex, unless her husband walked in on you" Toki laughed.

"They are not from sex." Geez, even Toki thought he was a whore, which surprisingly hurt.

"Then where did-"

"Banki"

"Banki? But why he would go and attack you? It just doesn't make any sense, I mean you,and he, and why?"

Skwisgaar turned around to face Toki. It was a small fit, so Skwisgaar crossed his legs and scooted closer. They were mere inches away from each other, and Skwisgaar was fighting his desire to push the younger man on the bed and ride him like a bull. He coughed and leaned a little away.

"I fought him in your place"

Toki was taken dumbfounded. "But why?"

"Toki. He would have killed you."

"Yes, but it was my fault."

"No, it was his for letting his boar out into the wild"

"But I should have fought him" Toki was confused. He was mad, elated, annoyed, betrayed, and ecstatic.

"It was the only thing that could be done"

"But you-"

"Toki"

"Yes?"

"Be silent" Skwisgaar pressed his lips lightly against Toki's. But the younger man remained stoned at his master's advances. Skwisgaar backed off and stared at the scepticism in the brunette's eyes. Skiwear smirked and moved around Toki to lay down. The younger just laid back, but landed on Skwisgaar's chest. The older man wrapped his arms around the Toki's body and held him down.

"Hey!"

"Shush, I am sleeping"

Toki remained silent but made no move to escape Skwisgaar's hold

"You know I played the lyre today" Skwisgaar spoke through the silence

"Yeah, I heard it"

"I like it much more now"

"Uh huh"

"I am just mad that you used your harp."

"Why?"

"It was a gift."

"oh psh"

"They say its bad luck if you destroy a Jul gift."
"Really?"

"Yeah, trolls will get you or something. Because you are ungrateful"

"What if you used the gift to make a better gift"

"I, uh, don't know what to say"

"That I am right and you should not be angry with me any-more"

"I cant do that, nice try though"

"Oh, how about, I am the best Viking and Odin likes me more than you, because you are a dumb smelly gnat"

"How about I let you go, and we sleep?" Skwisgaar yawned and released his arms but Toki didn't move from the other man's chest. "Uh.. Toki.. You can get off me now."