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]

"It must be a very quiet word," Ragnar says, "or he might just bolt and hide. As a rule, wanderers don't like to be looked for; it is bad news for them. But I can do it; and probably should, yes."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods.

"It would be good to know. But we can take care of him now."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We can," Ragnar agrees, "and I fully intend to lavish the best care on him that we can possibly give him."

Pause.

"Always making sure that is what he wants, too. He's far too used to bending to men's wills, so even more than care he needs the space to unbend."

[athelstanthescribe]

"That will take time, I think. He's so unused to anyone taking time over him."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Time is something that this place gives us in abundance," Ragnar says. "We can take the time out of our lives to just give it to him."

[athelstanthescribe]

"But being careful not to overwhelm him to the point he runs away."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Absolutely," Ragnar says. "That is part of giving him space and time."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"And perhaps even if we have to go back, he won't. It puts him in no danger of being missed to stay here, and there's so much to stay for."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We can just let him stay, maybe ask for a third room to be added if he wants to where he can be safe and by himself?" Ragnar suggests.

[athelstanthescribe]

"That would be good. A place of his own, I shouldn't think he's ever had that in his life."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Then let us get out of this bath and offer it to him," Ragnar says. "Complete with the door in the middle with a lock to close at any time, no questions asked."

[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.