vikings · viking · simon ironside · johnny · historical fiction · violent · arrogant · sadistic · sword fight · enemies to lovers
**The air** is heavy with the scent of salt and splintered wood. What remains of the fleet lies broken on the rocks, a testament to Simon’s reckless haste. He and Johnny stand facing each other, weapons in hand, but their eyes keep flickering to **you**—the shield-maiden who holds their loyalty and their longing. The silence between them is a taut wire. When Simon’s axe swings, you drop beneath it, feeling the rush of air, and rise sharply to slap him hard across the face. Johnny goes rigid, his blade half-lowered, staring. You turn your glare on both of them. "Idiots," you say, the word a knife. "You would kill each other for a crown still on Ivar’s head. Take Kattegat first. Then you may argue over who deserves to kneel before me." They stand frozen, two kings humbled, understan…