(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{from here}

Sinric carries his bundle upstairs, side by side with Athelstan. They slip through the new invisible door into the solar, it's lighthouse like windows looking out onto the bar's forest and grounds.

The Bar has read their minds and set the room up accordingly - with a long low padded bench for Athelstan to lay on while Sinric massages him. The lights are low, the glass tinted to give the room a warm, protective feel.

And a basket in the corner for Athelstan's dog and his bone.

Sinric sets up the incense the bar gave him - an eastern blend that Sinric has always found deeply soothing. He plugs his little music player into the speakers and sets it to play the soft chanting music of the Buddhist temple in the Sinese Empire.

He holds a hand out to Athelstan and draws him close, offering him a warm hug if he wants it before gesturing for him to undress.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

That much, he's getting and Athelstan finds it relatively easy to give.

Slowly, slowly, knotted muscles begin to ease under his touch.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric is patient and content to work as long as he needed to bring Athelstan to a state of relaxation.

He doesn't speak at all, but lets the music and the drifting scent of incense and oil fill the space between them.

[athelstanthescribe]

They do their job, and the incense especially soon has Athelstan drifting in a state near sleep.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric works his way down to Athelstan's feet, using the pressure point he learned to rebalance the humours within his dearest lover.

Once he reach Athelstan's toes, he gently urges Athelstan to roll over onto his back.

[athelstanthescribe]

He rouses himself a little at Sinric's urging, enough to turn over as he wants.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric soothes and eases him, gently rubbing down Athelstan's calves and feet to give him time to get back into a relaxed head-space.

He waits to be sure Athelstan is comfortable before moving higher.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles just a little into the pillow, as he lets himself begin to drift again.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric starts to deepen his touch, working up tto ease the pressure points around Athelstan's knees. He understands the flow of Chi better now and does his best to help unblock Athelstan's.

His hands move steadily up Athelstan's thighs, his touch intimate but professional.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Did they teach you this in the Sino Empire?" Athelstan asks sleepily.

[thewidewideworld]

"Some, yes." He hums, fingertips following the lines of muscle from knee to groin with long, sure strokes. "It's a different style to what I was taught in my Constantine's court."

[athelstanthescribe]

"How so?"

Mostly he likes to hear Sinric talking.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric gets the hint and starts to explain in soft tones. "The medical men of Sina believe there is a flow of energy, like water through the body, called the Chi. Most illnesses can be attributed to blockages or imbalances in the Chi. They teach ways of finding those blockages and release them."

As he speaks, his hands move into the crease of Athelstan's thigh, lifting one of Athelstan's knee to get his fingers into the crease of Athelstan's thigh to massage a pressure point at a knot of nerves to one side of Athelstan's crotch.

[athelstanthescribe]

There's little sign of arousal, but perhaps he's just too tense - or too drunk - for that at the moment. Or a combination of several things.

"And this massage helps to release the blockages?"

[thewidewideworld]

The touch isn't intended to arouse but the ease tightness and blockages in that area. Something Athelstan may well be suffering from.

"That's the idea. To restore the natural flow to all the parts of the body and spirit. The Sinese believe the two are very closely linked."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods against the pillow.

"As it may help open the way for blood to flow around as it should."

[thewidewideworld]

"Just so." he presses a soft kiss to Athelstan's hip. "I hope it will help you."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Something must", he says quietly, reaching back to brush his fingers to Sinric's leg, "sooner or later."

[thewidewideworld]

"Time, beloved. Time and the right circumstances." Sinric promises, moving to the same spot on his other thigh. "Look how far I have come since I came blinking through the door in a hazy of grief and dislocation."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You have", Athelstan agrees. "And very far recovered from what befell you on the road, too. I hope it may be the same when I'm home."

[thewidewideworld]

"And I have you and Ragnar to thank for that." He kisses Athelstan's hip, chaste and sweet.

[athelstanthescribe]

"As I do you. If I hadn't had this place to come to, something to bolster my faith that I would be going home one day..."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric rests a soft hand on Athelstan's side in a gestures of understanding. Ever as he moves his other to massage the pressure points in the side of Athelstan's groin. He has no idea if this will help but he can but try.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Thank you", he says simply, meaning for everything.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles to him and bows. "You're welcome." For everything.

[athelstanthescribe]

He turns his head just for a moment to try and meet Sinric's eyes, otherwise just nestling down into the bed.