This was another requested story, requested by the one and only allie_is_firebird. This story is pure fluff, and it made me giggle on more than one occasion. I immensely enjoyed writing it, and I hope y'all enjoy reading it!

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30th of Hearthfire, 4E 203

There couldn't anything worse than being alone in a room with a moping, depressed Farkas. It was bad enough that my Harbinger went off to risk her life for all of us. But now I was stuck with her brother-in-law who wouldn't talk to me because his brother wasn't around.

"Come on, Farkas," I said as I sat up. "They're going to be just fine. Ylva is the Dragonborn. She took on Alduin and won. They're going to be fine."

He didn't say anything; he only straightened in his seat and stared at the floor.

I huffed and threw the furs off my body. "I'm tired of just sitting around. Let's go explore Raven Rock or something."

He shook his head. "No, you need to rest."

"I'm fine. I'm a Nord. I'm tougher than you and Ylva give me credit for." I slid off the bed and set my feet on the floor. It took a few moments for my legs to become steady, but I was fine after they stopped shaking. "If you won't go with me, then I'll let you mope. I'm going exploring." I grabbed my cloak, strapped on my boots, then left the room.

He didn't make any move to stop me as I left.

I made sure to pull my mask over my face and hood over my head when I stepped out of the Retching Netch. The ash swirled in the air, like dirty snow, and settled in soft drifts alongside the streets. Merchants, townspeople, and guards all meandered through the streets, smiling and waving at one another. A few noticed me and waved hello. I waved back.

I took a left out of the town square and headed for the docks. As I walked, I thought about how nice these Dunmer were. The dark elves in Skyrim aren't near as friendly to Nords as they are here. It was weird. Why would they be rude and closed off? Whatever the reason, meeting some nice Dunmer like these people was a pleasant change.

"Little Nord!" called a gruff voice behind me. Farkas's voice. "Tyra! Where'd you go?"

I smiled and hurried to get out of sight. So the big man decided to follow me. Wonderful. It would be good for him to get out of that room for a little while.

Then, a wicked, cruel—but ultimately hilarious—idea formed in my head. If it worked, perhaps Farkas could get a good laugh, and he'll snap out of his depression.

"I'm over here," I called back to him, staying out of his sight behind some crates of supplies on the dock.

"Where?" I heard his footsteps clomping over the wooden dock, getting closer and closer.

Just a little closer, Farkas....

When he was only a few feet from my hiding spot, I shot up and yelled, "Right here!" at him.

I expected him to shout at me, to jump back a little and give me a glare. Instead, he fell off the dock and straight into the harbor with a massive splash.

I couldn't help myself; I doubled over with laughter as he shot back to the surface, gasping with all his might. I laughed and laughed at him, unable to keep it in.

"You—" he spluttered, arms flapping madly as he tried to stay afloat. "I'll get you for this!"

With a grin, I wiggled my fingers at him and took a couple steps away from the crates. "But you have to catch me first."

As he splashed his way back onto the dock, I took off running back to the village. A laugh tore from my throat as I raced away. Farkas's heavy footsteps thundered behind me, his voice called my name, and I kept running.

Around and around the town we ran. We were like children chasing one another in a game of tag. When he thought he was going to catch up to me, I would duck behind a building and double back around. He would be forced to slide to a stop, then start running again. It wasn't easy for him to do, and I just managed to stay one step ahead.

However, with my body still recovering, I was unable to keep running forever. My steps began to falter, my breathing became ragged, and I felt myself falling. I spread my arms in front of me, hoping to keep myself from falling on my face, at least.

Big arms wrapped around me from behind, holding me off the ashy ground. "Caught you," gasped Farkas in my ear. He spun me in his arms, so I faced him. My heart started beating faster when I noticed how little space we had between us.

"Yes, you did catch me," I managed to say, trying to wriggle from his grip. "Can you put me down now?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm not putting you down."

"Farkas, please." I tried to give him a pleading look.

It didn't get the reaction I was expecting. Instead of him smirking evilly at me, or setting me down because he felt bad for me, he closed the gap between us and kissed me right on the lips.

I froze against him, whole body stiffening. My eyes widened. Was he really... kissing me? This oaf? He was capable of something so gentle? I couldn't believe it.

Warmth started to spread through my chest, making its way up to my cheeks and ears. My heart still pounding, I found myself succumbing to the urge to return his kiss. A little hesitantly, I kissed back. My arms loosened and snaked around the back of his neck. I closed my eyes and sighed through my nose.

His arms around me tightened a little, lifting me fully off the ground. His kiss became stronger, but not overbearing. His warm palm slipped up my back and cupped the back of my head.

All too soon, he pulled away, setting me on the ground as his lips broke away from mine. His icy blue gaze had warmed, and a sheepish smile curled on his lips. There was no apology in his gaze. He wasn't sorry for what he did.

And I was glad he wasn't.

"Maybe we should get back to the inn," he said after several tense moments of silence. "You need to get more rest."

I nodded, face still flushed and ears still warm. "Okay, let's go."

He snaked his arm around my waist, keeping me steady as we made our way back towards the Retching Netch. All the while, I tried to still my fluttering heart. Had that really just happened? Did he really just kiss me? And now he was acting like it never happened. As if he hadn't just shattered whatever friendship we had between us. Whatever relationship we would have from now on would become more complicated.

I could hardly focus on anything but my muddled feelings. He had kissed me, and it had ignited a spark in me I didn't know I had. Just thinking about his touch or the kiss was enough to make my heart flip in my chest. Had I always felt this way about Farkas? Or had his sudden embrace sparked these feelings? I couldn't tell what this feeling was. If it was love or confusion or something else entirely. I needed advice from someone I could trust. Someone who knew what it was like to be in love.

Someone like Ylva.

When she and Vilkas get back, I'll tell her about this. She can help me figure this out.

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What a lovely story! It was a wonderful request, and I hope to get more just like it on the future! So if you have any request, whether it be a fluff-filled story or something a little more heart-wrenching, feel free to request it! Don't be shy!

I apologize for my absence. I thought I would be writing a lot while on break, but instead I decided to take a break from everything, including Wattpad. But I'm back now, and I hope to be updating more regularly soon!

That's all until next time! Hope you enjoyed the story! Don't forget to vote and comment if you did! Love and sweetrolls!
~ WG 💙