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[athelstanthescribe]

While Ragnar chooses which root would be best for them, Athelstan walks slowly around the clearing, fascinated by the unfamiliar nature.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll remember that", he murmurs.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'm sure you will," Ragnar says. "Ahhh - yes! That!"

[athelstanthescribe]

"That?" He looks up with wide blue eyes, then nips at Ragnar's skin. "You mean that?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes, that!" Ragnar says, obviously very happy with the way he's being touched.

His jeans are getting tight around his groin already.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You're making me shameless", Athelstan says, and licks a long stripe along Ragnar's chest. "And I don't care, as long as I'm with you."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"There's no reason -- ahh, yes!! -- for shame -- between us!"

[athelstanthescribe]

"And I'm trying not to be." Another lick, finishing at Ragnar's nipple. "But you know..."

He doesn't want to think about that.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

This gets a loud moan from Ragnar. "I know," he gasps. "It's not easily -- wiped in a few days."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan focuses on that tender spot, speaking against it.

"I don't want to just write off my family, either. Not if they'll still speak to me."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar now manages to put both his hands on Athelstan's shoulders again.

"Of course not," he says. "But you won't want them to put you back in that cage."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll never let them do that with you by my side." He's sure of that. "But they're my family. My uncle took me in as an orphaned kid who wouldn't talk for half a year, and he maybe wasn't the best parent, but he tried."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar pulls him up into his arms and kisses him deeply. "Of course not. I'd never want you to tear yourself apart like that."

[athelstanthescribe]

"If they can't accept me", he says softly after the kiss, "then that's that. But I think at least my cousins might."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Are they male or female?" Ragnar asks.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Male. But we grew up like brothers."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"So you hope they'll care about you more than they care about being self-righteous?" Ragnar says. "Any good brother will."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I hope so", he says quietly. "We always took care of each other."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I hope they'll keep doing so," Ragnar says, leaning in for a warm, gentle kiss. "It would be horrible to lose everything you've known, even if your church might want to lose you. We'll find you another church. Isn't there some quote about many rooms in God's house? I'm sure they're one less drafty."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan leans back to look at him, searching his eyes.

"You'd do that for me? I know you don't believe."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar is completely earnest.

"Of course," Ragnar says. "You're free to go on believing in God -- what monster would I be if I thought you shouldn't, just because of one church? Floki is a rabid atheist who thinks people ought to stop with the religions already, but I'm not!"

[athelstanthescribe]

"That might help some of them understand, if I'm not turning my back completely on God."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"There's even churches bikers go to," Ragnar says. "And churches queer people go to. We're in California, man -- there's sure to be one welcoming both!"

[athelstanthescribe]

" - does that mean you'll come with me?" He doesn't think he'll ever be a biker the way Ragnar is, even if he rides a motorbike.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"At least to see what it's like, and make sure nobody's going to scare or pressure you about anything whatsoever," Ragnar says. "I know it's important to you, and will always be."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Thank you." Athelstan kisses him. "At the right place, they'll be your friends too."