Unwelcome Homecoming II

"I was with a bandit girl for a while. Turns out that she was using me. She wanted protection, not affection. As soon as she found someone more psychopathic I was dropped like a sack of troll dung." Inigo wistfully reminisces.

"Did you love her?" I ask him with concern.

"I thought I did. We dulled each other's pain somewhat. She seemed like the only bright thing in a very dark place. Regrettably, she was a vicious manipulative harpy." Inigo says with disgust.

"And Lydia is?" I say probing him further.

"She is the complete opposite of that disgusting woman. She is strong, fierce, sweet, honest, a deceptively good cook, and…" Inigo starts to gush before furrowing his brow as if at a loss for words.

"Simple?" I suggest.

"Exactly, she would never use me and she definitely doesn't need my protection… She just likes me, because she likes me. It doesn't get any more simple than that." Inigo says with a fond smile plastered on his face.

"I know you had a bad experience before, but I still don't understand why you want to hide your relationship with someone you care for so dearly?" I ask trying to get to the root of the issue.

"It's… Because, I'm afraid to make it real, my friend." Inigo says before putting his head in his hands.

"Make it real?" I ask slightly confused as I lean in.

"Yes, by revealing it, it becomes real. And if it is real it can be destroyed, taken from me, or I could mess it up like most of my life…" Inigo says in defeat at a loss as to what to do.

"Shit, Inigo… I'm not sure if there's anything I can do to help you with that… Have you told Lydia your concerns? What does she think about keeping your relationship a secret?" I ask him as I'm unsure how to help my deeply distressed friend.

"She understands... Well, she doesn't really, but she knows it makes me feel better to keep it quiet so she agrees in exchange for..." Inigo pauses as he thinks of how to phrase his next words, "Carnal satisfaction and other favors." He saws with an awkward smile.

"Alright! I get the picture!" I say holding my ears as I have a flashback to Inigo and Lydia fucking in my basement. God, I wish I had bleach...

"Well, you're the one who asked, my friend." Inigo says with a shrug, slightly amused by my reaction.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry I did." I say before an idea crosses my mind.

"Hey, me and Lokir are about to go out on a trip... Why don't you and Lydia tag along? Give you two a chance to talk about all you got going on in your head?" I suggest as I see Lokir coming over with the two horses we own.

"I don't know if we can cover everything in my hea-" Inigo starts to say before a loud buzz emanates from his bug jar.

*Buzz, buzz, buzzzzzzzz*

"Mr. Dragonfly! That is very rude, and I'm definitely not ready to be a father just yet!" Inigo chastises Mr. Dragonfly harshly.

"What did Mr. Dragonfly say to get you so riled up?" I ask with an inkling of what he said already going through my head.

"I won't share the details, but he insinuated that I should simply impregnate Lydia so she doesn't leave me. Tell me that is not a crazy idea, my friend! I mean I'd like to be a father, but that is a very underhanded way to do it." Inigo rants indignantly.

"It's definitely crazy, but you want to be a father?" I say asking him with interest as Lokir finally arrives with the horses.

"Yes. Though only after we retire, I can just see it now. Loads of little Inigos playing with a horde of little Silvantus'. That is if you plan to have more children? I know you already have adopted." Inigo asks.

"Yeah, Boss. Any suggestions? I'm actually planning to pursue a woman with a kid once we get back to Whiterun." Lokir says while tying the horses to our stump and sitting down with us.

"Oh, yeah? I think I meet her. Good luck!" I say, wishing him well before I continue.

"Yeah, I plan to have more kids. But I don't think now would be the best time. So much left to do, so little time. I just want to enjoy what I have right now while I'm forced to take a break before I'm thrown back into the fire. And as for pursuing a woman with kids... Just be the good man I know you are and treat your woman and her kid right and you'll be just fine." I say giving Lokir a pat on the back.

"Thanks for the advice, Boss. It really helped. You ready to ride out?" Lokir offers, motioning to the two horses.

"About that, mind if Inigo and Lydia tag along? Figured it'd be a good bonding trip for the four of us." I suggest to Lokir who seems to think it over for a moment.

"Sure thing, Boss, it'd be fine to have a couple more people around for the trip... But, we only have two horses..." Lokir say looking between the three of us.

"Well, that shouldn't be too hard. Inigo and Lydia will ride together and me and you will ride together." I say with a shrug as Inigo goes off to find Lydia.

I stare at our horses and regret my choice almost immediately when they return.

Lydia mounts her horse first before hefting Inigo on right behind her, wrapping his hands around her waist as he snuggles into her back…

And I'm left staring at a horse… That I still have no clue how to ride… And a Lokir awkwardly staring between me and the horse.

"You know, Boss… You can drive the horse if you want." Lokir offers hesitantly.

"No, no, you're the much more experienced rider. I'm sure we'll be much quicker if you take the lead." I say motioning him to get on the horse.