Walking through the idyllic streets of Whiterun's Wind District, you decide to stop and sit on one of the beaches beneath the bare branches of the Gildergreen. It's not as peaceful as you'd like, as you can hear Heimsker in the background, droning on about Talos, as usual.
However, today it's a different commotion that disturbs the peace. Down the street past the Temple of Kynareth, you hear shouting. With a sigh, you get up to go and investigate. As you get closer to the Battleborn's house, you witness a confrontation between the youngest of the Battleborn clan, Lars, and the Redguard girl, Braith.
"I... I don't have any money... Please don't hit me!" Lars exclaims. "I-I'll give you 10 septims tomorrow, I promise."
"10 septims tomorrow, baby Battleborn, or I'll bloody your nose and your lip." Braith replies, before heading off for Whiterun's Market District.
Once the Redguard girl has gone, you slowly approach the young Battleborn. He looks up at you, wide eyed and slightly fearful as you block his path home.
With a friendly smile, you crouch down in front of the boy and place a hand on his shoulder.
"You look like you were having a bit of trouble there, are you alright Lars?" You ask.
"W-Who are you?" The young Nord asks fearfully. "How do you know my name?"
"I'm ${your name}, Thane of Whiterun." You reply. "I was talking to your father the other day. But you haven't answered my question, Lars. Are you alright?"
"Braith picks on me all the time. All the elders think I'm a little milkdrinker because I can't stand up for myself." Lars tells you. "If you can convince her to leave me alone, I'll be your best friend... forever... I-I'll pay you as well, my whole life savings. 2 septims!"
You struggle to keep yourself from chuckling at the boy's offer. It's clear that he desperately wants you to sort this problem out.
"Alright Lars." You reply, "I'll talk to this girl. Just trust me."
You stand up and begin to walk away. "Oh, and you can keep your money." You call back over your shoulder to the boy as an an after thought.
Heading off down towards the Market District, where you saw the Redguard girl heading, you look for Braith. After several minutes of searching, you spot her heading down the alley that leads to the back of the alchemy store known as Arcadia's Cauldon. You jog to catch up to her.
"Braith." You say in the most serious voice you can muster. Not having much interaction with children, you aren't sure if it has the desired effect of making you sound like an adult demanding respect and obedience from a child or not.
"What are you looking at? I'm not afraid of you, even if you are my elder." The Redguard girl replies, shattering any illusion you had that you might be in control of this conversation.
"I need you to stop picking on Lars Battleborn." You tell her.
"Oh yeah, why's that?" She responds, her tone of voice and attitude really starting to grate on your nerves.
"Because. If you mess with him then you mess with me." You explain.
"Okay, okay, I'll leave him alone. I wouldn't have to keep picking on him if he'd only kiss me." Braith replies.
"That's what this is all about?" You ask, surprised at the child's words. "Well, if you didn't beat him up maybe he would have shown some more interest in you. Or have you considered that maybe, Lars doesn't like girls?"
"What do you mean?" The Redguard girl asks, confused.
"I'm saying, perhaps Lars is more interested in other boys and men instead." I reply.
You walk away, leaving Braith blushing at your words, the girl finally understanding the meaning behind them.
A leisurely walk back to Whiterun's Wind District brings you to the Battleborn's doorway. After knocking once, Lars lets you in and escorts you to his bedroom. With the boy sat in the bed, you decide to perch on the chair. You can't help but look at the young Nord boy, with his submissive personality and mid-length blonde hair and wonder, is what you said in jest to Braith actually true, does Lars prefer boy?
"So?" The boy asks me hopefully.
"Yeah, I spoke to Braith." You tell the boy. "She won't be bothering you again. From what she was saying, she was only picking on you because she's interested in you."
"What do you mean... interested?" Lars asks nervously.
Getting off the chair, you crouch down in front of the boy as he sits on the bed, putting you at the boy's eye level. Placing a hand on the young Nord's shoulder, you take a deep breath before continuing.
"I mean she's interested in you the way a woman is interested in a man." You explain, seeing the boy start to blush slightly. "But I explained to her that you aren't interested in girls, that you prefer the company of other boys and men."
With that said, you lean in and kiss the embarrassed and submissive boy on the lips.