black candles burn, all minds aligned

She sighed softly before carefully shutting the tome. It was getting late, but lately she found the notion of sleeping to be difficult—ever since she discovered the truth of her blood, her destiny. She was content to live a simple life as a warrior of the Companions, reveling in battle and honor with her shield-brothers and sisters, but that all changed with a simple job for a citizen of Helgen—ridding the town of a troublesome bear.

A knock on the door startled Junne from her stupor. She stood to her feet and approached the door, opening it to meet Vilkas on the other side. Snow dusted his hooded cloak.

"Evening." He greeted. "Am I disturbing you?"

Junne shook her head. "No. I was just reading..."

He nodded in return before walking past her into the small room. She shut the door and watched as he removed his cloak, revealing his short, mussed, ebony hair.

"Were you outside?" Junne finally asked.

She prepared herself for a scoff or a sarcastic remark, but neither came. "Yes. I was... meditating."

She raised a brow. "Meditating? Did you... did it work?"

He grunted. "I don't know. Maybe. I keep expecting the beast blood to interrupt, to make me... restless. But..."

"But...?"

"...All I heard was the wind. The quiet. The stillness of the mountain. And even then... I don't know if I felt any peace. Not like..."

Junne waited for him to continue.

"Never mind."

"What do you mean? What gives you peace?"

Vilkas grunted again. "I said never mind. You're too damn nosy."

She huffed in response. "We are comrades, Vilkas. You cannot fault me for being curious when it comes to you."

He met her gaze and raised an eyebrow, this time. "Is that so?"

Junne blushed and glanced away. "Yes. You're a brooding, stubborn man with a lot on his mind. And now, the leader of the Companions. It wouldn't hurt to divulge a bit of your thoughts from time to time."

"You don't know what you ask. My thoughts... no."

Junne rolled her eyes and sat down on the bed. "So, what, is this how things will go, now? The Circle has to guess and work around your bullheadedness?"

Vilkas frowned and stepped closer. "This has nothing to do with the Circle, or the others. You forget your place."

"And maybe leadership is getting to your head."

He took a deep breath. "You don't get it, Junne. Do not pretend to."

"Then tell me! Make me understand--" Her eyes widened as he got even closer, arms braced on the bed by both of her thighs as he stared into her soul.

"You want to know what truly brings me peace?" He enunciated each word with purpose. "You. And it baffles me how such an infuriating woman like you can do such a thing when I want to shake your shoulders half of the time."

Junne swallowed. "Me?"

"Yes. Gods, when I was out there, I didn't pray to the Divines. I didn't think of the beauty of the mountain or the chill of the cold. I thought about you. You're all I can think about." He gritted out.

She stilled, his words ringing in her head. “I don’t… I don’t understand.”

Vilkas’ face came closer to hers, and it was only then that it began to all dawn on her.

“I crave you. It’s like… it’s like I still have the curse. But instead of the Hunt or the bloodlust, I long for something else. Your company. Your affection.”

Junne’s face flushed a deep red, as the rest of her body heated in response.

He continued. “Tell me I am out of my depth, wrong to have these feelings, and we will forget about it.”

She swallowed. “N-No… don’t.”

And then his mouth was on hers, a kiss that stole her breath. Hands moved to cup her jaw, keeping her in place as his rough lips moved with purpose. When the shock wore off, she returned it, inexperienced but eager. Vilkas must have sensed this, because his rough movements melted into something softer, easier to grasp, and she mentally thanked him for doing so.

He was the one to pull away first, much to her disappointment—though she was desperate for air. His breath was soft and hot against her mouth, dark eyes peering into hers as if searching. Junne felt her face grow hot once more, the weight of the situation sinking in.

“I… shouldn’t have…” Vilkas started.

“No. Don’t. I…” She swallowed. “…I liked it.”

The features of his face softened at her admission. “You did, huh?”

“Yes. I… I liked it a lot. Did… you?”

He chuckled softly. “I did. I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”

Heat pooled in her abdomen. “Is… that all you want to do?”

A shiver ran down her spine as his thumb caressed her cheek. “Junne… there are many things I want to do. With you… to you. But…”

She frowned slightly. “But?”

Vilkas smiled, a rare moment to be captured by her deep brown eyes. “I doubt the Greybeards would be happy with me deflowering the Dragonborn in their monastery.”

“How… how did you…?”

Another chuckle. “It’s fairly obvious, pretty girl.”

Junne huffed softly and glanced away, hoping her blush wasn’t evident.