Chapter Text
It must be a joke
He'd thought he had it all, fame, the gold, the connections, multiple houses and a hot as hell husband. The love of most of the people, and more importantly the power of a god. But he was still kind and naive after all this death and war. Someone that has done all the shit he's done should not be so optimistic in life, it's unnatural, he's seen too much to be happy. Yet there he is, or was at least.
When the dragonborn found out, it actually hurt, it hurt so much more than he thought because quite frankly he never thought about it. He had really loved this man. Always treated him well, like his equal, his fucking partner to the end and love of his horrid life. But Argis had other ideas, oh yes he did, he decided he'd rather not be the loving husband and sleep with the disgrace of a steward. Lydia was always kind, her smile when she welcomed him home from slaying dragons was a breath of fresh air, he'd thought her his friend, trusted her with his home, possessions and occasionally husband.
If only he had known they'd get along so well. He started taking rougher quests, going to Solstheim and hunting Vampires. It was hard for him and he in no way wanted Argis to get hurt. Yes, he was a capable man, rough, tough and durable but he was not as strong as the dovah, his husband. So if the dragonborn was having problems, he'd sure as hell leave his husband safe to deal with bandits, bears and giant spiders. The easy stuff.
He'd come home hungry, dirty, cold and utterly defeated even though he'd always win. He was trying to keep the world safe after all, even though Alduin was gone the evil of the world would not be so easily tamed. The world didn't stop and neither could he, he is the most capable and it'd eat him alive if he didn't help. Yes, he was the leader of assassins, the leader of a guild of thieves, the Daedric worshipping son of a bastard but he was still good. He did it all for the people of Skyrim. Because no matter what world you come from there's always a necessary evil, always.
He'd step into the doors of lakeview manor (he always arrived home at night strangely enough) and smile at the familiar scent, Lydia's homemade perfume of lavender, Argis' somewhat strange but not unwelcome scent of dwemer ruins. He'd set his weapons onto their assigned racks and remove whatever heavy armor he could before opening the doors to the main hall of course, can't get anything dirty. He'd announce he'd arrived and immediately Lydia would show up with her big, snake smile, betraying and luring. They'd hug and she'd insist on cook something warm. Argis would then come from the armory and greet him with his charming smile, bringing the man into his arms and kiss him. The dragonborn would refuse saying he was dirty and hadn't brushed his teeth in days but Argis didn't care, he was happy to see him home. The big blonde would set them up a bath and help clean his aching and tired thane. When lydia would call out that the food is ready they'd share a smile and get ready.
This was always his favorite part here at home, eating with these two, his friend and love. They'd sit on a bench outside looking at the Aurora borealis the night sky would give. If one was not there he'd shout out for clear skies and hope one would show. Lydia and Argis were always in awe whenever he did this, they'd always seen him use his shouts, fierce and death bringing and to see the voice do something so beautiful was just a wonder. How could something so dangerous make something so stunning? They'd stare for a while and sometimes when he'd look at Argis or lydia they'd be looking at him strangely, almost in a pained way. But the moment he'd turn they'd give him a soft smile which he would return with his own, cheeks full of food. They'd laugh as they poked at him for looking like an infant when he ate and he'd simply rolled his eyes with a smile.
The stories they'd each share would only make his smile grow, bandits and the occasional giant coming to his home, how they'd fight them off and have to fix whatever damage was made. Apparently the chickens started to attack the bandits, this news made the dragonborn laugh so hard he'd snort painfully. At this Lydia and Argis would share a smile, which would turn into a look of guilt. But he couldn't see, he was too busy being happy. They all were.
Or so he thought
It was like this for almost two years before he caught on. He was coming home early, not as a surprise for his friend and love, but because he was injured. He’d broken a few ribs (which Marcurio healed as best as he could), almost lost an eye (again) and knew he needed to take a few days off, the world would have to move on without him for a while if it wanted him to keep fighting its battles. So he took the extra longer ride home. Shadowmere of course made it less painful going at a nice smooth pace. After several trying days he arrived, it was almost 3 in the morning and he was exhausted when he dismounted and went into his home.
He was about to open the main hall doors when he heard it. He stopped, his breathing stopped and his throat got dry, more than it had been these past few days. Was he hearing correctly? Could Lydia perhaps have found a man finally? He smiled softly, that would be wonderful perhaps she could have a family, he didn't mind giving her one of his many homes (he also really loved kids). He listened closely to figure out what he could but felt his blood run cold when he heard the familiar grunt of his man. His husband. Suddenly it all made sense, it didn't really since he had never thought it to be, but he supposes that's what happens when you are a naive fool. He could feel his heart crack at every creak of the wood, his eyes widen at every sound of ecstasy, his skin crawl at every howl.
His heart stop with every adoring promise
He stood there, he doesn't know why, and listened. Listened until it was over and the house was quiet as it should be. After a long while he pressed his shaking hands on the doors and gently opened them. All he saw was emptiness and too much space, too much nothing. The walls were darker, rusted looking, the tables ominous and alone. The air was not warm but cold, and not because of the snow. His home was no longer his. He felt it in his heart and it made him sick to his stomach. His mind was racing yet it was frozen in time. He didn't know what to do. But he felt like screaming.
Suddenly everything was aching ten times more, his lungs felt like they were being stabbed by his ribs, his heart was the loudest thing in the world at the moment and his eyes could hardly stay open, his vision blurring. He didn't know what he was doing, he could hardly recognize the hard red scales he was on, ah he was on the back of a somewhat cautious Odahviing.
“Alas dovah you are terribly ill, where shall i take you?” The deep voice came to his ears, that voice was usually so loud and intense but right now it seemed so distant.
“I know this is not to your liking, being ridden like a horse but as a friend i ask your favor. Let me stay upon you for as long as you will allow me and fly. My heart begs for it” The dragonborn asks softly. Odahviing is silent for a while before a hum vibrates through him.
“You are dovahkiin, the soul of a dragon caged to the body of a man. You have never flown on your own for you are not able, your inner dovah begs to fly free. I shall be your wings for tonight” The dragon says in complete understanding.
“Thank you,” he whispers in reply and lets go of his friends horns and let himself fall back to look at the sky. It was so dark, not something unwelcome to him really he loved it. But it was too big tonight, that was just a tad bit too much darkness at the moment. He opened his mouth, ready to shout but he find himself not wanting to all of a sudden. The Aurora was his joy at night, always has been when he was on endless quests throughout Skyrim. He remembers seeing one and hoping Argis and Lydia were looking at it's beauty too. The thought made him ache again and all he could do was stare at the endless nothing as he felt the soft breeze against his cold cheeks.