Vikings Modern AU fic part 3: Magazine and Bonding

Ivar had been living at the Halsgaard care home for only a week now, but he had already developed a close friendship and relationship with Dagmar, one of the girls living at the home. Ever since they had met, the two had started to behave differently than normal. Ivar had become much calmer and more chatty as opposed to his usual sarcasm, irritability, cruelty, and cold reserve. Dagmar had also started to socialise a bit more and was extroverted more often as opposed to her former moodiness, being prone to angry outbursts and crying, and spending time sitting by herself. The two teens were nearly inseparable. They spent most of their time together outside underneath the tree in the garden, sitting next to each other in the recreation room, or sometimes in Dagmar's room, reading books and magazines. The staff at the home noticed the positive behavioural changes and encouraged the relationship. Ivar and Dagmar were very happy together, and they would often be seen kissing, holding hands, or whispering to each other.

Dagmar smiled excitedly as she sat in her chair, waiting for Ingrid to bring her new magazine to her. "What could be so exciting today, hmm?", Ivar asked, noticing the girl's excitement. "My new magazine is supposed to be coming in the mail today. I am told that it has a big article about the Vikings", Dagmar explained. "I would love to read it with you", Ivar said, reaching over and gently touching the girl's hand. "Yeah", Dagmar said, looking lovingly at his blue eyes. Ivar smiled and resorted to kissing her hand, as his wheelchair would not allow him to fully lean over enough to kiss her lips or cheek. Dagmar smiled shyly and blushed, her typical reaction to this. Ivar smirked and chuckled, amused by her reaction. "Come here, my love", he said, motioning for her to lean over closer to him. Dagmar did so and was rewarded with a kiss. "I love you", she said. "I love you too", Ivar said, smiling. "You're so beautiful, so sweet and good", he added as he gently stroked Dagmar's face with his thumb.

Just then, Ingrid walked by with the new magazine and, not wanting to disturb the enamoured young couple, carefully put the magazine down on Dagmar's lap. Feeling this, the girl looked down and gasped. "Wow!", she exclaimed, as excited as a six year old. "This is so cool!", Dagmar said as she started to undo the plastic that the magazine was wrapped in. "Have a look", she said as she opened it to a particular page and showed it to Ivar. He smiled and kissed her before carefully holding the magazine, enjoying the sight of his girl feeling happy. "I like the photos. I especially like the illustration of the man and the woman", Dagmar said. "I think that they are married. I hope that we will be married someday", Ivar said.

"I imagine it sometimes, our married life. I imagine that you're holding me when we wake up in the morning, and I also like to imagine being pregnant with our first child", Dagmar said. "Yes", Ivar said, but then his worries returned. "But what if our child will be a cripple like me? I've worried about it since we started hoping for marriage", he asked. "Our kid not gonna be a cripple! You're not a cripple either. If they are like you, I will still love them very much", Dagmar said, desperate to help the boy to overcome his worries and fears about their future. "Oh, Dagmar... You are so understanding and accepting. I've never met anyone else like you", Ivar said, hugging the girl. "You too. I've never met anyone in real life who's as understanding and accepting as you either. I still hate how people would treat me before", Dagmar said, nestling into the hug.

"I will protect you, you are safe with me", Ivar whispered and kissed her. "And if anyone says or does something hurtful to you, they will have to face my wrath", he added. "I'm glad you're here to protect me. And if someone hurts you, I won't let them get away with it either... All I want is you", Dagmar whispered. "I love spending time with you", Ivar said. "I just want to feel you holding me all the time, feels safe." "I love to hold you", Ivar said. "... and I love to kiss you, too", he added, kissing the girl's forehead. "And just like you imagine, when we are married, I will hold you, and you will wake up in my arms", Ivar said. "Just like when we're outside?", Dagmar asked. "Yes. Just like when we're outside", Ivar said. He smiled lovingly and kissed Dagmar.