15th of Mid Year, 4E 205

"You cannot be serious," I said, heels digging into the mud as Vilkas attempted to pull me into the crystal-clear pond.

"Ylva, if I wasn't serious, I wouldn't have asked you to drop everything for the afternoon." He gave me the most pitiful look he could manage. "Come on, love. I won't always be around to help you swim. You need to learn." He let go of my hand, wading into the water until he was up to his chest. "It's not that deep, I promise."

Now the reason he asked me to wear something light, like my thin, sleeveless tunic and a pair of short leggings, made sense. Why he had dressed almost identically. Why he asked Tyra to babysit the twins for the afternoon. He wanted to teach me how to swim.

I pulled nervously at the hem of my tunic. I didn't care if the water wasn't deep. I didn't care if Vilkas was with me. I didn't want to do this.

Vilkas pouted. "Ylva, swimming isn't that hard. Come here."

I shook my head. "No. I don't want to."

His pout changed into a scowl. "If I have to get out and make you..."

I huffed, taking a step forward at last. "All right, fine." I inched to the edge of the pond, curling my toes as they came into contact with the chilly water. "It's cold."

"You grew up in Eastmarch, and you're a Nord. Stop stalling, Ylva."

I waded into the water, cringing as inch by inch of skin was chilled by the water. I don't like this. Not one bit.

With no warning, Vilkas splashed me, just as the water had reached my waist. Now covered in freezing cold water, I gasped and started to run back to shore. But Vilkas snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest.

I struggled in his grip, even if I knew it was no use. "Why would you do that?!"

"It's best to get used to it all at once," he said, pulling me back with him. "Now come on. You'll be colder if you get out."

"I hate you so much right now."

He chuckled, the sound reverberating through his bare chest. "Ylva, come now. You're the Dragonborn. Are you really afraid of a little water?"

"You know I can't swim."

"I know, which is why I'm teaching you. Why didn't you learn before?"

I swallowed heavily as the water reached my throat. "Because... because the waters in Eastmarch are too cold to swim in, even in the summer. Neither of my parents took the time to teach me. Not since we were always busy with the farm."

I realized then that I couldn't reach the bottom of the pond. I lurched around and threw myself onto Vilkas's neck. "You said it wasn't deep!"

He chuckled again, reaching to pry my arms off his neck. "My dear Ylva. You don't have to be so afraid. I'm right here." He kissed my cheek and managed to loosen my grip on his neck. "Just kick with your legs. I'm not going to let you drown."

I did as he said, kicking as frantically as I could. I only stopped kicking so hard when I accidentally kicked Vilkas in the shin. Caught up in his shock and pain, he let go of my arms. I felt myself starting to sink.

"Vilkas!"

He seized me under my arms and heaved me back up. "Love, you're not going to learn how to swim by panicking. Take a deep breath."

With some difficulty, I managed to do as he said. I finally calmed down enough to start kicking my legs in a steadier rhythm. As I balanced out, Vilkas began to swim away from me, letting me go gently.

"Use your arms to stabilize yourself."

I nodded, a little out of breath, and pushed my arms through the water. The harder I pushed, the higher I rose in the water.

Vilkas smiled at me and swam a little closer. "I knew you could do it. Just keep treading water."

"What if I get caught in a current? What am I supposed to do then?"

He laughed softly. "Love, one lesson at a time. First, learn how to tread water. Actual swimming will come later."

"You can't just teach me all at once?"

"You have too much to learn, and it's already getting late. It took you long enough to finally get in the water. Had you just gotten in when asked the first time—"

"Why would I? I hate water."

"Which is what I'm trying to change." He swam right in front of me, face inches from mine. "You shouldn't be so afraid."

"Everyone has a weakness."

He shook his head and wrapped his arm gently behind me. "But water shouldn't be yours." He pecked me on the lips. "Has this been terrible for you?"

I frowned. "Yes."

Head tilted back, Vilkas let loose the heartiest laugh I had ever heard, his arms tightening their hold around me. "Oh, my dear Ylva. Must you be so pessimistic?"

"Must you be so patronizing?"

Laughter dying, he grinned at me, eyes alight with his mirth. "Only when you act like a child."

I pulled from his grasp, kicking my legs to keep my head above water. "Can we go now? I don't expect Tyra to babysit forever."

With another soft laugh, Vilkas swam parallel to me and led me back to shore. He wrapped me in a thick towel before draping his own over his shoulders.

I grasped the towel in both hands, keeping held tightly around my shoulders. In the cooling evening air, my exposed legs began to shiver. My teeth chattered, and my hair stuck to my face like icicles. "L-let's get-get in-inside. It's fre-freezing out here."

"Sure thing, love." Gently draping his arm over my shoulders, Vilkas led the way back into the city, the biggest, smuggest grin on his face. I really wanted to wipe that look off his face, knock him down a few pegs.

Rolling my eyes, I pulled my towel even closer to my shivering frame. One of these days, my love, I'll get you back for this. Just you wait.