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athelstan

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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.

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"Maybe that's why we were fated to find each other - to see the light in each other when we are more in darkness."

"It may be so. And for that reason, I hope I'll see you again in my own time."

"I will be old by then." He smiles sadly. "I wish we could all adventure together now, when I'm still young and beautiful."

"Perhaps we could find a way. In some other world, reached through here..."

"Perhaps. But I need to go back and make peace with my life in Sina and you and Ragnar need to find each other again. Then we can go adventuring together."

Athelstan nods. "After you find Ragnar in Ribe, you'll be free to do just as you like."

"That I will. Although it doesn't feel like a burden - seeking him and sending him to you. Not like paying a debt but like a hero's quest from some ancient story." He smiles softly.

He smiles a little in turn.

"I'm glad of that."

"I know I'm not hero, as you and Ragnar are. But perhaps I am the wise stranger who sets the heroes on their path. Maybe that's who I will be by the time I find Ribe."

"There's more than one way to be a hero", Athelstan says, looking at him tenderly.

"Just so." Sinric smiles, arching up to kiss Athelstan sweetly.

Athelstan brushes fingertips to his face and kisses him back just as gently.

"I love you." He whispers between kisses. "And I'm very grateful fate brought us together."

"Likewise. You've helped to keep me alive."

"My selfishness again." Sinric smiles playfully. "I want you in my life."

"Well, I don't want to die." He pats Sinric's hand even as he glances away for a moment. "Not really."

Sinric cups his cheek and eases Athelstan back to look at him. He holds Athelstan's deep eyes for a long, silent moment before kissing him again.

His kiss in deep, tender and said everything he can't say in words, expressing the love he feels.

Athelstan curls into his arms as they kiss, trying to express everything he feels in turn.

Sinric rests his forehead against Athelstan's as they break for breath. He hugs Athelstan close, his slight body warm against him.

"I wish I knew how to repair myself", he whispers after a long moment.

"Time, beloved. Time will heal you." He brushes his fingers gently over Athelstan's cheek. "You can't rush healing. Or the body or the soul."

"I suppose not." He makes himself not look away again. "I... I've put hope in people and events before, and through no fault of theirs, it just hasn't... I expected too much."

Sinric frowns, aware of how own failures to help Athelstan heal. Instead he gives Athelstan a tight squeeze and rests his head on Athelstan's chest, listening to his heart.

"I don't mean to blame you for it", he says again, "or Ragnar either. I thought seeing him again would make me whole, but it didn't, I just... perhaps one thing alone never can."

"But I assured you it would." He confesses sadly. "I hoped it would be what you needed."