(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]

He shifts a little to spread himself out. "I'm at your disposal."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and slips out of the little nest to fetch a bowl of hot soapy water.

He kneels at Athelstan's side and washes him slowly with a cloth, tender and gentle.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You needn't worry", he says with his eyes closed. "In England, I'll be quiet and monastic and everything the king wants to see."

[thewidewideworld]

"Everything the king expects." Sinric corrects. "He may hold your body in his command but your heart and mind are your own. To share with those you esteem worthy."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And those, he'll never have. No matter how he tries."

[thewidewideworld]

"Just so." He smiles, kissing Athelstan again and refreshing the cloth to wash his legs and hips.

[athelstanthescribe]

"But I meant - I know - you don't like to see me drink like today. And there, I can't. It's not what he expects."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods gravely, washing Athelstan's chest. "I don't like seeing you hurt yourself. And such drinking can only bring pain as payment for a brief moment of oblivion."

[athelstanthescribe]

He turns his face away.

"Sometimes it seems a fair price to pay for a little oblivion."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric reaches up to caress his cheek, his eyes softly. "It's not mine to judge, beloved. You are your own man and free. Know only that I love you."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I do know it, and that Ragnar does. And I love you both."

It's himself he doesn't love.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric kisses him again for lack of a better answer and returns to the task of washing Athelstan clean of the massage oil. It would be easier in a shower, such a wonderful thing, but he doesn't want Athelstan to get up just yet, letting the benefits of the massage sink in.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan settles back down dutifully to let Sinric finish what he's doing.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric finishes up and pulls the sheet up, adding another to keep Athelstan from getting cold.

He clears away his tools and washes his own hands, checking on Athelstan's faithful hound as he does. Turning the lights down lower and putting out the incense, he returns to their little nest.

He sheds the robe to nap, pressing warm skin to Athelstan's cool body.

[athelstanthescribe]

Fiachra is perfectly happy in his own little nest of furs, half asleep and still mouthing at what's left of the bone Sinric got for him.

Athelstan puts his arms around Sinric again, warming himself against his body.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric curls his little body around Athelstan, to warm as much of him as he can and kisses his cheek.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You must be warm-blooded", he murmurs.

[thewidewideworld]

"Only in the presence of the right people." Sinric counters with a smile. "But I certainly have enough to share."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles a little at that.

"Then perhaps you can share it with me."

[thewidewideworld]

"My warmth, as my heart, is yours." Sinric promises, snuggling close to warm Athelstan's core.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps I should ask the doctors why I'm always so cold now."

[thewidewideworld]

"I think that would be wise. And I can ask the Sino doctors too. Their medicine seems very effective and very different to what I knew in Byzantium."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "Let me know if they have anything to say about it."

[thewidewideworld]

"I will. And bring back any medicines they advice." He promises.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Thank you." He touches Sinric's hand. "Perhaps these massages will do something to help."