For Sinric

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan's room is almost pathologically neat, the bed made and everything in its place.

He stands aside to let Sinric in, the bathroom door standing open to reveal the huge sunken bath inside.

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"If you can find it again, then you can come back to us here," Ragnar says. "I very much hope you do."

And not just many years in his future, Ragnar's past, to a tavern in a busy Viking trading town.

"Athelstan is considerate, and he cares," he then says. "So he makes sure those around him are happy and safe, and never sees to his own safety or pleasure first. In battle, he must be kept from thinking about others too much, or he would be in danger. The gods gave me a great, ruthless gift in throwing him in my path, and letting me love him, and win his love."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric soothes Athelstan's bristling with a kiss and a nuzzle. "I am the Emperor's pleasure. They have no reason to put any effort into me." Some days that bothers him but not often.

Ragnar's offer of welcome warms him and he kisses the Earl gratefully.

[athelstanthescribe]

"When you do come back here", Athelstan says with a smile, "this room will be open to you whenever you want it."

But he won't be possessive.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar returns Sinric's kiss; it is almost painful to see how little he is valued where he is, if people give him neither pleasure nor welcome.

"Here, you can escape the people who treat you badly, there in Miklagard," he says.

[thewidewideworld]

He kisses Athelstan too, meaningfully. Their offer means more to him than they know and it's enough to move him to tears but he hides it behind a grin.

"Then you better teach me how to use this better-than-an-aquaduct bath, if I'm to be your houseboy to the Earl and his beloved Steward." it's meant as a playful tease. He's thrilled at the idea of being offered shelter and welcome like this.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan kisses him back, then laughs and finally shifts himself.

"All right, let's go and look at the bath."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Can we move, my sweet steward?" Ragnar asks.

He's not going to take these titles too serious, in this place.

"Or are we still exhausted, and stuck to the bed by our drying seed?"

He does let him up as he shifts, though.

[thewidewideworld]

"Perhaps the rat things with bring us wine to revive you. That is what they are for, isn't it?" Sinric rises gracefully, stretching his lean body like a cat.

[athelstanthescribe]

"They are here to serve", Athelstan agrees, "but I don't know how to order from here."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"If Athelstan pokes me in the ribs, I might move," Ragnar says, grinning.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric grins wickedly and comes to kneel at the side of the bed near Ragnar.

He schools his face to his most demure, delicate expression, feeling comfortable that he can tease Ragnar a little. "How may a poor songbird serve you, my lord?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan is not above poking Ragnar in the ribs, but for now he just watches to see what Sinric will do.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Unstick me, or make me move?" Ragnar says, with his best crooked and provocative grin, eyes twinkling with amusement.

Entirely not serious, and obviously so.

[thewidewideworld]

Just a Sinric's demure obedience is unserious. He kneels up slowly to press soft kisses up the back of Ragnar's thigh, curving over his rear and onto the point of his hip. Sensuous, teasing and...

Sinric blows a raspberry onto Ragnar's skin.

[athelstanthescribe]

And Athelstan bursts out laughing.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Legendary Viking warriors never squeal like little girls, or jump a foot into the air with startlement while doing so.

That is to say, Ragnar would violently deny that he ever did this, and claim he just knelt up on his own, voluntarily.

No, totally not a squeal.

He looks at Sinric and Athelstan with a sheepish grin.

"It worked."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric giggles and stands, "I thought it might. I had other ideas but they might be best suited for after bathing." His eyes shine with promises.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Or during", Athelstan suggests, pushing himself to his feet. "Perhaps."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Still grinning, Ragnar gets to his feet as well.

"Bath," he says.

[thewidewideworld]

"I like the idea of during very much." He enjoys fooling around in water. Especially clean, warm water.

He wraps his dress around him like a toga and follows them to the bathroom.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan leans down to the taps, turning to look back at Sinric.

"This one for hot, and this for cold, and you can make them mix to the temperature you like best."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And you can add scented things that colour the water, or make bubbles," Ragnar adds.

[thewidewideworld]

He's familiar with scented oils and washes for bathing but the idea of bubbles makes him smile. And the fact the water runs so hot and so fast is wonderful. He kneels to run his hands under the water, laughing joyously.

"I suspect I shall be spending quite a bit of time in here!"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles broadly, just to see him so happy.

"Come on and feel how it is to soak in it."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Do we have the stuff with the bubbles, Athelstan?" Ragnar asks.