Throughout the night, Jack made love to Mark. They didn't even bother to light the candles, letting the starry night stream into the cabin and give everything a hue of blue. The chilly sea breeze billowed the small curtain, but it only made him snuggle under the fur blanket more. Mark was warm enough for both of them. Jack couldn't remember a time that he could just stay in bed with Mark. Nothing felt more perfect or natural. For the first time, he felt... normal. He wasn't a mage or the Dragonborn... He was Mark's husband. Laying flat over Mark's warm chest, Jack rested his chin on his crossed arms. Mark panted softly beneath him, his warm hands stroking along the length of his sides in a loving manner. Jack moaned softly with pleasure, mumbling out almost inaudibly. "I've missed this... Can we stay like this?" Mark chuckled deeply, his hands sliding down over Jack's ass cheeks as he whispered to him lovingly. "You wanna stay on a ship for the rest of your life? Don't you wanna do this in the sun kissed grass?"

Jack hummed at the pleasant thought of laying on the warm grass with Mark in the summertime. Why did he have to make everything sound so good? Mark's hands ran down Jack's spread thighs, purring to him longingly. "Wouldn't you love to look up and see the endless sky as you reach bliss with me?" Jack smiled, his cheeks turning a soft pink as he mumbled out to him. "You sound like a worshipper of Dibella." Mark's hands slid back up his thighs to hold Jack's lower back, before telling him in a deep lusty voice. "Can you say they're wrong? Wouldn't you love to worship like this with me every day? To do this until you feel the gods enter us to feel our bliss?" Jack sat back up on Mark's hip, purring down to him playfully. "The only person I want inside me is you. You're all the love I need." Mark's fingers trailed up Jack's pelvis, abs, and up to his pectoral muscles to stroke his chest hair. Jack held his wrists, biting his lip with slight embarrassment. Compared to Mark, he was so hairy and pale.

Mark sat up, wrapping his arms around Jack's waist. Jack buried his head into Mark's neck, listening to Mark whisper lovingly into his ear. "Is that right? Got one more round in you?" Jack laid back between Mark's spread legs, adjusting his feet forward to brace on the mattress by Mark's hips. Smiling up at Mark, he nodded. As tired as he was, he could go one more time. Mark certainly had more stamina now that the wolf was synched with him much better. Mark's hands slid down the insides of Jack's spread thighs and over his torso. When the tips of Mark's warm fingers found his chilled nipples, Jack gasped with sweet surprise. His body was so sensitive after hours of Mark's hands tenderly caressing his body into relaxed jelly. Panting breathlessly, Jack's toes curled against the mattress as Mark teased him into being ready for him. Jack's whole body was tingling with need within seconds. The chill of the night air helping him desire Mark's warmth. Right before he was going to start begging, Mark grabbed his hips and adjusted him closer to him.

Jack grabbed Mark's legs, nodding to him that he was ready. Mark entered him with no issue. The vial of lube was still working even after hours of this. Mark started into a slow rhythm, his hands squeezing Jack's thighs to keep him from sliding too far away. Jack chuckled between moans of growing pleasure. He could image that the crew was tired of hearing him by now. However, he refused to hold himself back anymore. This was their moment to have fun and relax. He wasn't going to give that up for anyone. The faster Mark started to go; the more Jack's feet rose off the bed. Unable to stop himself, he let go of Mark's legs to hold the edge of the mattress. He was getting close to the edge and his body was losing all self-control. All his body cared about was Mark. He was too tired to control anything else. Mark quickly shifted to lay over him better, pounding into him harder. Jack could see Mark's eyes changing as he neared his own climax. Jack reached up with one of his hands to grab the back of Mark's neck.

Pulling him down into a simple kiss, Jack moaned into the kiss as the intensity of his orgasm hit. From him a bright white light pulsed throughout the room, causing Mark to whine softly against his lips as he finished in him. Following the pulse, Jack's body limply draped across the bed. He was thoroughly exhausted. Panting too heavy to talk, Jack simply chuckled to himself as his cheeks turned red. Mark licked his lips, raising shakily onto all fours over him to say breathlessly. "You haven't done that in forever... You ok?" Jack nodded, giggling out just as winded. "Ya... I was just lost in the moment." Mark laid down beside him, wrapping an arm around him to snuggle with him. Jack held his arm, enjoying how Mark kissed his shoulder until he fell asleep. When he next woke up, he opened his eyes to see Mark was working out on the floor. Jack smirked, watching Mark glisten with sweat as the sunlight reflected off his tanned skinned. Jack propped his head up lazily, crossing his legs over the blanket as he continued to watch from the bed.

Mark stopped doing pull-ups to smile at him, upon asking sweetly. "Hungry?" Jack smiled back, mumbling out happily. "Always." Mark rolled to his knees, cupping Jack's cheek gently. Giving Jack a brief kiss, he climbed to his feet and ruffled Jack's bangs. Jack didn't bother fixing his hair, he was too content with everything. Mark moved to a tray of food on a table, asking him over his shoulder warmly. "Did you sleep well?" Jack stretched, taking his time to sit up before replying. "Better than I have in weeks. What about you?" Mark picked up a bowl, walking back to him with the brightest smile. Jack beckoned him into another kiss that Mark accepted. Taking the warm bowl after the kiss, Mark answered happily. "Same. I've never been happier." Jack grinned, scooting back against the wall to eat. The bowl was filled with warm Potato & Leek soup that was slightly overly seasoned, but it wasn't too bad. Pointing to it with his spoon, he asked Mark curiously. "This isn't yours. So, how did this get past Klipper?"

Mark chuckled, bringing a loaf of Potato bread and a blue bottle over as he answered nicely. "Turns out the crew is so scared of our little friend that they have been leaving him sweet rolls. They gave him a sweet roll in order to knock on the door." Jack shook his head with a smirk. Pointing next to the blue bottle, he let Mark tell him with devilish grin. "Oh this? Well... this is a thank you. The crew rather enjoyed the... powerful release. Put the crew in good spirits. So, they gave us some of their Black-Briar Reserve." Jack tried to hide behind his bowl. Mark leaned in to nibble on his ear playfully. Sitting back, Mark popped the cork on the Reserve to say just as playfully. "I think the pulse missed Klipper though. He seems to be himself... at least I think he is a he... You know, I really can't tell." Jack leaned forward, huddling over his bowl as he laughed loudly. Mark began to laugh with him, extending his arms out for Jack to snuggle up to him. As sweaty as Mark was, Jack still lean into him.

Once they had finished eating, they used a bucket of water to wash themselves a bit. Which turned into a semi-water fight as they threw the wet hand towels at each other. Laughter never seemed to stop coming from their cabin. They played Hnefatafl and Jack was surprised that he was able to hold his own against Mark now. The next day, they spent their time on the deck sparring for fun. Even the crew found it entertaining to watch them. Mark even sparred with Klipper to let him show off his skills with his spear. Jack had to admit. He was impressed. Despite Mark's size on Klipper, Klipper was fast and agile. Klipper used his spear to launch himself into the air and strike out at Mark with quick jabbing and slashing blows. He knew his weapon well and kept Mark on his toes. Klipper's only weakness... He was a bit gullible. The crew was still terrified of him though. They saw him as a tiny demon. Every move he made seemed to spook them. Klipper took great joy in turning his head slowly to look at them with a creepy smile.

The more it unnerved the crew, the funnier Klipper thought it was. He even started using his creepy nature to relieve Sailors of their sweet rolls. To which, they would toss him the treat and bolt away from him. It was funny for a while, but Jack eventually had to tone him back a bit. It was harmless fun now, but he was worried the crew might take action before too long. By the weeks end, they were pulling into the harbor of Windhelm. Jack flipped his thick Skaal hood up against Skyrim's harsh cold. It was snowing in sheets onto the deck and the castle looked just a cold. However, there was an uplifting feeling to being back home. Mark wrapped an arm around Jack's shoulder, excitedly asking him. "It's a powerful feeling to come home. Where will we go first?" Jack sighed as the blissful feeling of living in a dream faded. Glancing over his shoulder, he told Mark grimly. "Now we need to find Alduin. If I recall... Paarthurnax said something about capturing a dragon in Whiterun. So, we'll go there first."

The moment the ship docked, they said their goodbyes to the Captain and crew. Jack stepped down the ramp feeling like he was a different man from the man that boarded this ship the first time. Stepping off onto the dock, he held his head high and uttered aloud. "Stay close, Klipper." Klipper saluted with his spear and jogged after him as they walked back toward the stairway that led out to the stables. As they passed some of the workers, Jack heard them whisper amongst themselves. "The Dragonborn has returned." Jack kept his eyes forward, approaching the stables casually. The moment he was within view of the horses inside, Agro jumped the rope to her stall and rushed toward him with a gleefully whinny. Klipper sprang back, hosting his spear in defense as he yelped out. "Big piggy!" Mark grabbed Klipper's spear to keep him from throwing it as he corrected him simply. "No. That's a horse. Have you never seen a horse before?" Agro skidded to a stop in front of Jack, nuzzling his face with her warm nose. Hugging her neck, Jack pet her warm body, cooing out. "Oh, Eggroll... I missed you too."

Klipper inched closer to Agro's feet, poking her hoof with the blunt side of his spear. Agro stomped her foot in response, causing him to flinch but he simply pointed to her asking Mark confused. "Not big piggy? Has hooves like piggy." Mark shook his head, stating out more firmly. "It's not a pig. It's a horse. You ever seen a pig with a mane and tail like that?" Klipper crossed his little arms, muttering out stubbornly. "Mutant piggy then." Mark tossed his hands up in defeat, grumbling out. "Fine. Call it whatever you want." Moving to the stablemen, Mark gave him a handwritten note that would allow him to settle their debt with the Jarl of Whiterun. Their funds had officially been depleted. The only thing that would keep them from being arrested now was the fact that he was the Thane of Whiterun and promised that the Jarl would settle his debt. Otherwise... they had a lot to make up for. Mark loved up on Tim, who was just as excited to see him. As Mark climbed up, he picked up Klipper to set in front of him like a small child.

The horses scuffed the ground with their hooves or shuffled their feet eager to get going. Once they both were sure that they had everything, they set off down the road. Jack loved being back on a horse again and as cold as the land was... there was fresh greenery that brought a smile to his face. The sky was blue, and the land was rich with life. Not a trace of ash or grim skies. Glancing back at Mark, he teased out playfully. "Wanna run the horses for a bit?" Mark gripped the reins tighter, answering with a grin. "Sure. Winner hunts dinner?" Jack narrowed his eyes on Mark because he had Klipper but chuckled out. "You're on!" Jack nudged Agro into a run and she leapt into a bolt happily. She needed to stretch her legs and Tim was excited to do the same. The horses raced across the road at top speed, while Klipper rose to his feet on Tim's neck with loud cheers of glee. They raced across the countryside, the horses kicking up puffs of fallen snow in their wake. They raced until the horses tired, before laughing at the fact that they didn't declare where the finish line was.

It felt like another perfect day. Until late into the night, they rode up on three strangers that were positioned on the road to block them from riding on. In one hand, they held up a roaring torch that was almost blinding in the present darkness. In the other, they held onto silver forged weapons. Jack quickly pulled Agro into a skidding stop from her run, eyeing the white and blue robes of these men. Beside him, Mark yanked Tim into a quick stop that Klipper wasn't ready for. As Tim jerked to a stop, Klipper was flung off his neck and into a large snow mound by the road. His body leaving an almost perfect impression of his spread-eagled self as tiny flakes of snow puffed up from the seamless impact. It had happened so fast that these people didn't seem to notice Klipper. They were more focused on them. Jack settled Agro, asking them politely. "I don't suppose you'd move if I asked you to. So, what do you want?"

The man in the middle took a single step forward, stating out proudly. "We are the Vigilant of Stendarr. And we were tracking a white werewolf that we saw bite your friend. We've been waiting to see if you would return to this land. Seems you did. Now we must save your soul from the unnatural influence of a daedra. Come be purged in fire!" Klipper popped out of the mound of snow, slashing wildly like a wild animal in a frenzy. The horses reared in surprise, but Klipper seemed to be attacking the snow and muttering out Riekling curses. The Vigilantes of Stendarr leapt back in terror, shouting out. "What in the name of Stendarr is THAT thing?!" Mark calmed Tim down, uttering out rather dryly. "Not really sure, honestly... We think it's contagious." Klipper stopped slashing the air to pant heavily, practically foaming at the mouth in frustration. The Vigilants all dropped their torches and ran off into the dark screaming. Leaving Jack and Mark to burst out laughing over their horses. To Be Continued...