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

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"Privacy and security, and if it's too much, he can come through to us."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I love you like nobody else," Ragnar says, quietly. "Nobody that I may have now. You, I love. But yes, that said, I would like to make room for Sinric in our lives and rooms and hearts, for the sake of fate, of gratitude, and simply who he is."

[athelstanthescribe]

"There can be room for him", Athelstan agrees. "Him and perhaps others, provided no other except your wife comes before one another for us."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"In my heart, she doesn't come before you," Ragnar declares, simply.

He moves in the water, which is cooling now.

"Let's get out and rejoin him."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes." Athelstan reaches over to pull out the plug, then kisses Ragnar one more time.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric, left to his own devices after a long night and a longer morning, has fallen asleep in a ball at the end of the bed, curled around his fur stole. Sleep smoothes his features and makes him look very young.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar kisses Athelstan back, gets out of the bath, takes a towel and pads over into the room.

"Just look at him, all worn out," he whispers. "Let's go sleep, and talk more in the morning."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan reaches out to run a very gentle hand over Sinric's hair, careful not to wake him.

"There's plenty of room in the bed."

After drying himself, he folds the towel onto a chair and lies down.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric doesn't take up much space as he is, curled in on himself like a child. He mumbles softly to the touch, leaning into it like a sleeping cat being scratched.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar lies on the bed beside him, carefully as not to shake the bed, and extends his arm towards Athelstan. "You are always so neat," he says. "Come here!"

He just wants to snuggle now.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan moves carefully into his arms, brushing Sinric's back softly with his foot, since the touch seems to comfort him.

"It's a habit, my lord."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric presses against him and wraps the fur tighter around himself, not cold but comforted by the texture of it.

He sleeps on for some time in silence but for the soft rhythm of his breathing.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar snuggles into Athelstan's arms and falls asleep, happy and contented.

[athelstanthescribe]

And Athelstan is quick to follow.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric wakes in the warmth of the soft bed, the feel of Athelstan's foot against his shoulder. He watches them sleep, entwined for long moment before slipping silently off the bed.

Sleep has helped but he still need a time - time to order his thoughts. Their kindness was... all but overwhelming and although he will return to their hospitality, he needs time alone. He opens the door as quietly as he can and moves to slip away.

{ooc: up to you if anyone catches him before he slips out to explore the garden.}

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar hears the movement and opens an eye to see Sinric slip away, and gently nudges Athelstan awake.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan lifts his head sleepily.

"Oriens? Tell the Bar to give you a key..."

[thewidewideworld]

He pauses at the door at that and smiles softly with a little nod. "I will return to you."

It's a promise. He owes them that at least. And far more that he doesn't yet know how to deal with. Time to walk and think and explore.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We look forward to it," Ragnar murmurs, sleep in his voice.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You should count our rooms as yours", Athelstan says in similar tones, "for as long as you want to."

[thewidewideworld]

He returns to them, pressing a kiss to Ragnar's brow and Athelstan's cheek. "Here, in this place, I belong to you."

It's easier to think of them that way - as his protector, as the couple he serves. At least for now, till he's had time to deal with his own feelings.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"With us," Ragnar says, "if you choose to. Yes, we will have you that way."

He reaches up to stroke Sinric's cheek again.

[athelstanthescribe]

As does Athelstan.

"But remember you're free to come and go as you please, while you're here."

[thewidewideworld]

He closes his eyes as they touch him, leaning into them. "Does your kindness truly know no bounds?" Or will there be a price to be paid later?

"If I am free, then I much go, for a little while at least. But you have my word I will return to you."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You are free," Ragnar echoes, "and you come and go as you please. We like you, Oriens."

So it's not just kindness, he means to say.