Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sound of the longship returning to the settlement never fails to draw the clan out of their homes, eager to see the newest members of the clan or the loot that they've brought home.

Hytham is one of those people too – not only because Basim is on that same longship, but these people are his family now. He feels safe here, and his feelings for Eivor are something... 

He can't describe how he feels for Eivor, something that scares him deeply. 

Shaking the thought away, he focuses back on the longship's return. 

There is something different about the return of the longship. He can’t place it, but something is suggesting that the journey went awry. Basim will bring him up to the details of the trip when he returns to the bureau, that is for sure.  

The sound of yelling for help catches Hytham’s attention. Looking up from his maps, he wanders over to the door. His eyes land on Eivor. The jarl is holding Sigurd up, they are both littered with injuries as other clansmen surround them.  

Where’s Basim?   

Hytham watches as Sigurd is aided in walking to the longhouse, and Hytham is very aware that something bad has happened. But now is not the time to question, he has work to do. And so, he returns to his desk of scrolls, reading the latest from Azar and her work in Ireland.  

 ***

The sun has long set when he finally looks up from the map in front of him. He was disturbed by the silence, in honesty.  

Basim still hasn’t returned.  

That isn’t uncommon. His mentor often disappears for prolonged periods, only to return without so much as a hello.  

But something about this is different.  

And it’s scaring Hytham.  

With a resolute sigh, he wanders out of the Bureau.  

There’s a solemn darkness over the settlement as he wanders up to the longhouse.  

Sigurd, Randvi, and Eivor are all sitting at a table, talking in hushed tones.  

“Ah, Hytham, friend, join us!” Eivor says as soon as his eyes land on the assassin.  

He may have trained in the art for many years, but nothing quite gets past Eivor – he could be a master assassin successfully, if not for his ego.  

Taking his seat, Hytham looks between the others. His confusion must be clear on his face, he needs to know what has happened to Basim. His eyes flicker to Sigurd, then Eivor, and then back to Sigurd.  

Both men are clearly injured, perhaps they were ambushed. Hytham knew little of the journey, only that they were going to the wintery home of Norway. He was left in England to continue the Brotherhood’s work.  

“Where is Basim?” the question slips out without him having realised. He watches as Eivor glances at Sigurd, a silent communication taking place between the brothers.  

They would wrongly assume Hytham hasn’t noticed it. He is trained to notice these things, the way their eyes meet, the conversations taking place without a word being spoken.  

“Hytham, I am sorry... While we were in Norway, Basim turned on us. He...” Eivor trails off, “he was deluded, his beliefs... he left us with no choice...” he adds.  

Hytham stares at the vikingr for a moment, trying to comprehend what he’s saying.  

“Hytham, I am sorry. Basim is dead,” Sigurd states. He lifts his tunic until the largest of his wounds is visible, “this was his doing.”  

Nodding, Hytham looks around and sighs.  

“I do not blame you. I just... That was not what I had expected to hear. Thank you for being truthful, friends. I must return to my work,” Hytham says, before standing from the bench and walking away a moment later.  

Eivor watches with guilt gnawing at his insides. Hytham seems almost... lost?  

Though, he may be. He’s without a mentor now. Eivor knows little of their brotherhood, Hytham may need to leave to a new mentor now.  

“Sigurd and I will be retiring to our chamber. Are you going to be okay, Eivor?” Randvi asks, piercing Eivor’s thoughts.  

Almost like how Eivor’s axe pierced Basim’s skin.   

Shaking the thought away, Eivor nods, “I will be fine.”  

Randvi nods, though it’s clear that she doesn’t believe Eivor. A moment later, she and Sigurd have left the table and Eivor is alone again.  

He stares at the mead in his tankard and sighs, it does little to dull the pain and the warring thoughts.  

Standing, he leaves the longhouse and wanders away from the settlement to a quiet dock to the North.  

It’s not the first time he’s come here to reflect on things alone, he did it after Ceolbert was killed. It helps him greatly to have some time alone. 

He’s rather surprised when he sees a mop of black hair in front of him though.  

“Hytham?”  

It tumbles out, and the assassin flinches.  

“My apologies, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Eivor slowly sits on the deck, letting his boots wash in the stream.  

“No need to apologise, friend, as an assassin I should’ve been more aware of my surroundings,” he says, though it’s clear that he’s sincerely wishing he could relax more. 

Nature is peaceful, a bird lands a few feet away and nips at the ground for a few moments. 

"I am sorry... for the situation, friend. We didn't want it to end this way... we tried to stop Basim, tried to rationale with him but he was... he was deluded," Eivor explains, plucking a flower from the ground. 

"I understand if Ravensthorpe doesn't feel like a home anymore, I do. We hold no malice towards you," he adds. 

Nodding, Hytham glances over and sighs, "I believe I will need a break. I..." he sighs again. 

"I would like to explore a little before I make a decision about my future. I do not know the protocols of the Brotherhood once a mentor has passed. Ravensthorpe has always been a nice home for me though, and I would like to make it home... if you still want me to stay," he adds. 

Eivor glances over and nods, "Ravensthorpe will always be open for you, Hytham. Take all of the time that you need," Eivor promises, lightly rubbing Hytham's shoulders.  

Leaving Ravensthorpe is rather surreal to Hytham.  

It’s not that he’s leaving. He’s left countless places throughout his life – he's left places that he’s called home so many times that he doesn’t feel at home anywhere.  

Except for Ravensthorpe.  

It’s who he’s leaving. He’s leaving Eivor – the man who single-handedly brought down the Order’s presence in England, the man who assisted Hytham in understanding the work of the ones who came before.  

Eivor – the man who was wary at the first moment, and yet, settled in comfortably beside Hytham as their journeys progressed.  

Eivor has promised that Hytham will always be welcome – his home won’t be touched.  

And he can always come back. 

With the thought in his mind, he mounts his horse and begins the journey away. 

Chapter Text

The man on the throne has a darkness in his eyes, a hurt that can’t be described. Hytham slowly emerges from the shadows, taking seat at a table. The conversations are flowing around him as a tankard of mead is placed in front of him by a cheery woman.

He takes a small mouthful and forces the grimace away from his face. It’s too sour – the mead in Ravensthorpe was always sweet, with an overwhelming taste of honey that left him with a smile on his face.

“You, boy... what is your name?” Hytham looks up when a man sits beside him. It’s the man from the throne.

“Hytham” he responds, staring at the table in front of him, his mind wandering back to Eivor. He wonders what the vikingr is doing, what he’s thinking, is he happy?

How is Ravensthorpe?

“And where are you from, Hytham?” the man asks.

“I am from nowhere. I am a traveller, I make my home along the roads,” he explains, fiddling with his tankard for a few minutes.

“Ah, but every traveller has somewhere that they call home, even the weariest of travellers. Where is that for you, Hytham?”

“Oh... well I never thought about it like that... I don’t... I...” he sighs and looks down, “Ravensthorpe was my home.”

“Ravensthorpe... The Raven Clan?” The man asks.

Nodding, Hytham takes another swig of the mead, almost preparing to be ambushed. He doesn’t know of the Raven Clan’s status around here; these people could hate Eivor and everyone else back at Ravensthorpe.

“Eivor was a good man. How is he?”

Hytham lifts his head at that, he hadn’t expected someone to speak positively of the Vikings.

“Oh yes, Eivor looked after my boy until the end. My Ceolbert became a man with Eivor, a man I was proud of. And when he was...” the man trails off, and Hytham realises who it is – Ceolwulf.

“When my boy was taken... Eivor made sure that the person who did it paid with their life... for that I am grateful. My son may not walk this Earth anymore, but a piece of him lives within Eivor, and a piece of him lives within me for how Eivor and the rest of the Raven Clan helped my boy grow into the man he was,” Ceolwulf adds, and Hytham nods.

He didn’t often speak to Ceolbert, but he remembers introducing the boy to the tenets of the creed, showing him things that seemed interesting.

“Ah yes, Ceolbert. I remember him, he enjoyed learning of Persian texts,” Hytham says, a small smile on his face as he remembers how Eivor had found them, and rather than teasing the pair, he’d listened too.

Sigurd and Dag had made comments that it was pointless for Ceolbert to learn linguistic and cultural differences, Eivor on the other hand, he encouraged it.

“You taught him that? Oh, I must thank you. Ceolbert was so enthused by his new knowledge, he wanted to teach the children around the settlement what he had learned!” Ceolwulf smiles as he rubs Hytham’s shoulder.

“I wouldn’t have continued if not for Eivor, I must admit. The Jarl of Ravensthorpe encouraged me to show Ceolbert new fighting techniques, but Eivor encouraged me to introduce him to communication, ways to de-escalate a situation with only words,” Hytham explains.

“Eivor is a good man... I owe him a lot,” Ceolwulf admits.

Hytham nods slightly, though he’s lost in thoughts about Eivor. He’s always admired the man in a way that goes beyond the respect that they hold for each other.

It’s something more…

There’s something about Eivor’s caring nature that makes him almost terrifying, and that entices Hytham, he wants to know more, he wants to know about Eivor in ways that nobody else does.

Chapter Text

The journey through England has been long. Hytham has travelled along miles of road, occasionally stopping in small villages and towns. He’s learned various things about the Raven Clan – they are feared and revered across the country.  

There are people who hold a strong hatred towards them. Hytham found out the hard way that Wincestre is one of those places.  

But this new place seems nice.  

Glowecestre 

Hytham recalls hearing of this location when Gunnar returned with a wife. Eivor seemed distant upon his return, something had him concerned. Eivor returned to the city for a few days.  

A few days later he returned, and that concern was eased.  

There’s a man sitting at a table on his own and something inside of Hytham compels him towards the man. He wanders over and sits beside him, though says nothing.  

“What’s your name, lad?” the stranger asks.  
 
Hytham looks over and bites his lip, unsure of whether to give a false name. He’s already done so once, in Hemthorpe, until he realised that he was welcome there, that Eivor and the Raven Clan weren’t hated there. 

“Hytham,” he responds.  

He looks down at the table and shrugs slightly.  

“Where are you from?”  

Hytham ponders over a response, unsure of if he’s safe here.  

“Ravensthorpe...”  

“The Raven Clan... they’re from Ravensthorpe, right?” the man asks.  

Hytham nods, “they are.”  

“How is Eivor?”  

Hytham tilts his head slightly 

“Oh, yes. Eivor was a godsend when Modron was... being a problem...” the man says.  

Hytham nods slightly.  

“Oh, I am Tewdwr. He saved my life, and saved my city,” the man explains.  

“Nice to meet you,” Hytham responds.  

*** 

The night is passed with both men drinking, telling tales of their experiences with the Raven Clan, Eivor, and the rest of the country.  

When Tewdwr mentions his fling with Eivor, the ache that shoots through Hytham’s chest is rather jarring. He doesn’t want to think about Eivor with other people, but he cannot figure out why.  

Eivor has had countless other people throughout his life, what does one more person matter?  

More drinks are poured, more beer spilt, but both men indulge in conversations about things that Hytham usually doesn’t let see the light of day. 

It feels like a weight is lifted from his shoulders though.  

He’s offloaded the battle in his mind, and Tewdwr has helped him understand it from an alternative perspective.   

*** 

Settling into the bed and finally alone for the night, Hytham had hoped that he would be able to get some sleep. He’s overwhelmed by his thoughts though.  

Everywhere that he has been, all these people across England have told him stories of how Eivor and the Raven Clan have affected their daily lives – from Hemthorpe and the death of Hemming, to Jorvik and the thwarted attempt at poisoning the city, to villages that were raided by the Raven Clan, families that were left broken by the death of a loved one.  

Some villages chased him away when he uttered the words Raven Clan, his heart racing as he narrowly escaped being killed. He found the places he could be himself though, and he heard the stories from everybody that he spoke to.  

These stories... they’ve introduced him to the side of the Clan that he’s grown to know and love.  

The kindness that Eivor showed him throughout his time there. Hytham felt like an outcast when he first arrived, but Eivor welcomed him. 

It was Eivor who listened to Hytham’s concerns about the Order, it was Eivor who travelled the length and breadth of England, hunting the members of the Order, finding intel from early-age Assassins.  

It was Eivor who cared enough to bring artefacts from old Bureaus too. 

It has always been Eivor. 

Hytham sighs and brushes his hair back, chewing over his bottom lip.  

His heart aches at the absence of the Vikingr. He never thought he would feel this way about anybody, especially not somebody who doesn’t follow the tenets of the creed.  

But there’s something about Eivor that fills Hytham with warmth.  

Around the other man, he feels safe. He feels comfortable. He feels content.  

It feels like he’s at home when he’s with Eivor.  

Chapter Text

Hytham remembers hearing about Lunden from Eivor.  

There’s a historical bureau on the outskirts of the city, in the North-eastern quarter. Eivor had even offered to bring Hytham when the mission against the Order was complete.  

He may explore to find the Bureau while he’s here, though the thought of visiting with Eivor does sound preferable.  

Perhaps a return to Ravensthorpe would be nice.  

Ravensthorpe has always been home, Basim’s death was...  

Hytham looks up at the Church in front of him, and after a moment, he decides to go inside.  

He closes the door quietly and rounds the corner.  

His trained eye immediately catches sight of the remnants of burned materials. 

He sits on the bench at the back, fidgeting with his thumb as his mind runs wild with thoughts of Eivor, Ravensthorpe, and the things that he’s learned over the past few days.  

The time away from the settlement has been refreshing, he’s experienced the world as a new man – without being restrained by his Mentor, and the demands of the Raven Clan.  

He feels rather lonely though.  

He’s always enjoyed the company of other people, especially Eivor.  

The man has always had a kind soul, a kind heart. He can be vicious if he needs to be, and Hytham has no doubt about that.  

But Eivor is filled with love too, so kind and caring for other people.  

He's an anomaly to the others of his nature.  

Where other Vikings hold no shame in ruthlessly murdering people without reason, Eivor considers the circumstances.  

That was clear enough when they were first introduced, way back in Norway. Watching Eivor give Gorm Kjotvesson the choice to be free from the war his father started, Hytham’s opinion of Vikings was completely transformed. 

Or maybe it was only Eivor.  

The man has experienced more hurt and trauma in his life than most, and he is a better man for it.  

Hytham doesn’t believe that people should needlessly suffer. He can see that it has helped Eivor though.  

“Good morning,” a man says, standing beside Hytham. Looking up, he’s met by a man with short, dark hair looking at him with caring eyes.  

“Hello...” Hytham responds.  

He tries to clear the thoughts from his mind, though he’s not particularly successful.  

“Welcome to Lunden. I am Stowe, Reeve of the West. If you require anything, please just ask me or my partner, Erke. He’s the Reeve of the East.”  

The man gestures to the other man, who is talking to some civilians at the back of the church.  

“Thank you,” Hytham responds. 

After a moment, Stowe wanders away and Hytham is alone with his thoughts again.  

He wishes that somebody would disturb him.  

 These thoughts are tormenting him, and he needs some peace.  

Maybe indulging the thoughts would be beneficial in clearing his mind.  

Eivor... 

Eivor has always been a support for Hytham.  

When the clan moved to England and set up home in Ravensthorpe, Eivor ensured that there was a bureau for Hytham’s work, and he didn’t care about the resources it used – which Sigurd tried to point out would’ve been better used on the Barracks or the settlement members.  

Eivor made the point to Sigurd that Hytham and Basim were a part of the settlement as much as the crew, or Tekla, or Gunnar.  

Hytham had been willing to find the resources, but Eivor ensured there was no need.  

He was there when nobody else wanted to hear the stories of the Order.  

Eivor has always been more supportive of Hytham’s activities – whether it was teaching Ceolbert and the children or fighting the Order.  

The hardest work is the unseen work, Eivor had once said, I couldn’t fight them without your work in here.  

They didn’t often talk about Hytham’s feelings towards needless violence. When the Clan was attacked, Hytham expected to be outcasted for refusing to fight and offering to help with the care instead.  

Sigurd was angry about it too – his belief that the men should fight was clear.  

Eivor defended Hytham though – pointing out that having people help tend to the injured was just as helpful as having people fight.  

Sigurd eventually conceded that Hytham’s work tending to the injured did help.  

And Hytham wanted to hug Eivor for it.  

He didn’t though.  

He returned to his work and avoided Sigurd for the rest of the day.  

“Is everything okay?” the sound of a strong accent pierces Hytham’s thoughts.  

He looks up at the man, he thinks he’s called Erke, and slowly nods.  

He’s not, he’s not sure how he feels in honesty, but he can pretend that he is.  

“Where are you from?”  

“Ravensthorpe...” Hytham sighs.  

“Ah, Ravensthorpe. We have been meaning to visit there, myself and Stowe that is. Home of Eivor, correct?” Erke says.  

Hytham nods and smiles slightly, it’s his natural response to just smile when he thinks about Eivor, though he’s not sure why.  

“How is Eivor?” Erke asks.  

“He is fine. The Clan is all okay, I believe...” Hytham sighs.  

“Stowe,” Erke calls, and a moment later, the other man wanders over.  

“This is Hytham, he’s from Ravensthorpe!” Erke smiles.  

Stowe lightly nuzzles Erke’s neck, “we should visit Ravensthorpe. The city is quiet at the minute, especially after Eivor got rid of Frideswid, Avgos, and Vicelin...”  

“They were members of the Order, correct?” Hytham asks. He’s certain that he’s heard those names from Eivor’s fight. 

“Eivor did mention an Order...” Erke confirms.  

Hytham nods in response.  

“There are many things we must thank Eivor for...” Stowe murmurs, lightly kissing Erke’s cheek. There’s something almost painful about seeing other people the affection that Hytham longs for.  

“I wonder if Eivor has allowed himself to love...” Stowe murmurs. Both Hytham and Erke frown as they look at him.  

“Oh... in our conversations, Eivor was telling me that the life he has is one where having love isn’t a possibility... I had hoped that our conversations would change his mind...” Stowe explains.  

Hytham shrugs slightly, “I do not know... the man is very... private in his personal matters. He doesn’t talk about his feelings...”  

Stowe nods slightly.  

Hytham has a lot to think about with those revelations though.  

Eivor didn’t want to fall in love? Or does he love somebody that he can’t have?  

He is particularly close with Randvi.  

“We must get back to work... if you need anything, please find us. If you happen to return to Ravensthorpe, please let Eivor know that we do plan to visit,” Erke says.  

“Thank you...” Hytham nods, “and I will let him know.”  

He hadn’t planned to return to Ravensthorpe for a few more days, but the thought of being away from his home for much longer is painful.

And... being away from Eivor is even more painful. 

It’s surprising Hytham that he would have such a thought.  

But it’s the truth.  

He misses Eivor – the man’s humour, his caring nature, even the way he’s willing to help anybody, regardless of who they are and what they need.  

If he can help them, he will.  

Hytham realises, and it pains him to say it, but he’s realised that he is deeply in love with Eivor Varinsson. 

Chapter Text

There are hushed murmurings from the barracks as Hytham returns to the Bureau. The key sits heavy in his pocket as he passes the Blacksmith, and then a moment later, he’s standing in front of the Bureau.  

The building that he has called home for so many years.  

He is home.  

With shaky hands, he unlocks the door.  

It’s exactly as he remembers it – though there’s a thin layer of dust over most surfaces, and there’s a cobweb in each corner of the building.  

It’s home.  

And that’s what matters the most to Hytham.  

He doesn’t need anything else, only Ravensthorpe.  

There’s a soft knock at the door, and then, “Hytham, my friend, is that you?”  

Hytham smiles as he turns to face Eivor.  

The drengr looks the same.  

“I missed you” the words tumble from Eivor’s mouth, and he almost looks embarrassed to have been caught saying such a thing.  

Hytham nods though and pulls Eivor into a tight hug.  

“I missed you too...” he mumbles, letting his emotions show for the first time in a long time.  

The Viking is emitting warmth, comfort, and light - Hytham never wants to leave his embrace.  

They need that conversation though.  

Without a necessary conversation, Hytham will forever be trapped by his thoughts.  

“Would you like to take a walk, Eivor?” Hytham asks.  

Eivor nods and smiles slightly, “that would be nice...”  

Hytham smiles slightly, and after a moment, he follows Eivor outside.  

The door is locked, and they both follow the path North and out of the settlement.  

“Did you enjoy your travels?” Eivor asks.  

Hytham nods, “it was interesting, to say the least.”  

Eivor chuckles slightly, “where did you visit?”  

“Oh everywhere. I travelled to Jorvik – there are some lovely people in the city. They speak highly of you,” Hytham starts, “Especially Ljufvina.”  

Eivor nods, “Hjorr and Ljufvina moved to England before the Raven Clan. Reaching out to them was easy, they are good friends.”  

Hytham nods and smiles slightly.  

“After Jorvik, I travelled to Hemthorpe, in Snotinghamscire. They speak highly of you there too,” Hytham explains.  

Eivor nods, “Vili’s home. His father was the Jarl before Trygve, both men were hesitant to take the role of Jarl. They sought my wisdom on the matter – though I’m not sure why.”  

“What was your wisdom?” Hytham asks.  

“Vili did not want to follow the path his father had laid for him, he wished to live the life of a Vikingr, and he would have led the city with great aversion. Trygve, on the other hand, was loyal to his Jarl. He was willing to die with his Jarl...” Eivor sighs, “it was not an easy decision, but I put myself into Vili’s position, and Trygve’s. Neither wanted to, but Trygve was the better option – he wasn’t going to be as...” Eivor shrugs.  

“Vili can be rather immature, and as much as he is a good friend, leadership is not in his blood,” Eivor sighs.  

Hytham nods, “a wise decision. Trygve is leading the city well.”  

Eivor smiles slightly and nods, “that is good to know. I worried it was the wrong decision – but it seems both men are happier for the outcome.”  

Hytham nods and smiles slightly.  

After several minutes, he adds, “I travelled South after that. Wincestre first – they were rather hostile.”  

“Ah yes, the Saxons in the South are. That’s Aelfred’s domain, and he was... well... he was the head of the Order, the Grand Magister, as he called himself. He did not want to be involved with the Order though. He was our Poor Fellow Soldier of Christ, and despite his promises, he has reneged on them...” Eivor shrugs.  

“I left there shortly after and travelled to Glowecestre. That was a nice city, I met some lovely people...” Hytham adds.  

Eivor smiles, “When Gunnar left, he travelled there. He met Brigid, his wife, there.”  

Hytham chuckles, “Gunnar is not somebody that I would ever expect to marry.”  

Eivor laughs, “in his youth, he was married... frequently. He uh... He wears his heart on his sleeve often.” 

Hytham nods and chuckles, “I travelled to Lunden too. Erke and Stowe are interesting people. They have asked me to notify you that they are going to travel to Ravensthorpe at some point in the near future, though they haven't specified when.” 

Eivor nods, “They struggled with the Order – three of the members were wreaking havoc across the city. A nurse, Frideswid, was abducting people to test her medicinal theories on... Avgos, hiring people to spread contempt amongst the city people, talking of how both Reeves were weak and cowardly. And Vicelin, he was based completely away from Lunden, but he used his power and wealth to manipulate Frideswid and Avgos to do his dirty work. When they attempted to annex Lunden, both Frideswid and Avgos were already killed. Stowe and Erke both proved to their civilians that they were loyal and that they weren’t cowards. And Vicelin was killed on his hip in the dock.”  

“And while that was ongoing, they were fighting against their feelings for each other. It was clear to see how they felt towards each other, their love etched so plainly on their faces. And yet... they refused to acknowledge it...”  

Hytham nods, “they were rather affectionate with each other while I was there...”  

“I visited after the city was rebuilding, the cathedral was where they operated from. It had been attacked by the people that the three Order members had hired, but they worked to rebuild it. Anyway, when I visited, they had both accepted their feelings. More than accepted, in fact. They were in a relationship, and they didn’t tell most about it, but they did tell some people, myself included.”  

Hytham nods and bites his lip, “They’re both happy in their love...”  

He stops on the spot, his brain almost stalling as he tries to think about what to say. He knows what he wants to say, but he doesn’t have the courage to verbalise the words. 

He looks up at the tower ahead, it’s the Ragnarsson lookout, as he understands it. 

Eivor is still walking, and after a moment, Hytham catches up with him.  

“Do you love anybody, Eivor?”  

It slips out, he doesn’t mean to ask the question and he’s sure that Eivor is going to expel him from the settlement now.  

It’s too personal of a question, one that he should not have asked.  

Eivor stalls slightly, and slowly turns to face Hytham with an unreadable expression etched onto his face.  

Hytham gulps slightly, “I am sorry, Eivor, I did not mean to ask such a personal questi-”  

He’s silenced by Eivor’s lips meeting his own. Eivor’s hand rests on the back of Hytham’s neck, his other at the man’s waist.  

Hytham’s mind is a world away as he melts into Eivor’s touch, pulling the Vikingr closer. 

They don’t part for several long minutes; the only movement is their hands dragging across each other’s bodies.  

Eventually, the need to breathe is overwhelming and they part, resting their foreheads together. 

“I do...” Eivor says softly, his voice is low and raspy, “I do love somebody... I love you, Hytham...”  

Hytham lets his eyes close quietly and smiles slightly, those four words are all that he’s wanted to hear for so long that he can’t quite believe that he has just heard Eivor say them all.

But then Eivor is kissing him again, and Hytham is certain that he didn’t imagine it. 

He didn’t have a hallucination.  

Eivor loves him.  

And he loves Eivor.  

With the thought in his mind, he rests his hand on the bearded cheek, letting it ground him to this moment as they kiss again and again until the sun is setting.  

They don’t want to return to Ravensthorpe, but they do.  

With the promise of a trip to Lunden together in the future, to visit the Bureau that Hytham has heard so much about, they return to the settlement hand in hand.  

People gawp at them, but neither Eivor nor Hytham care.  

They step inside the Bureau and close the door.  

“You are always welcome in Ravensthorpe, Hytham. No matter what happened with Basim, and what happens in the future, you are always welcome here,” Eivor promises.  

Hytham hugs him again, all worries fading away from his shoulders.  

Ravensthorpe is his home, and he never wants to leave.