(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

[thewidewideworld]

"I hope so also. And even if it does not, I hope at least it relaxed you."

[athelstanthescribe]

"That, it certainly did."

And he does seem at ease for once.

[thewidewideworld]

"I'm glad." Sinric hums a smile. "You know it is always a pleasure to care for you."

[athelstanthescribe]

"As it should be, for you to want to do it."

As always, the emphasis is on Sinric wanting to do things.

[thewidewideworld]

"It is." He assures softly. "I served my lord out of love and his guests out of duty. But for those I have here, I care for out of a selfish desire to see them happy and at peace."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Only you, my Sinric, would call that selfish."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles sadly. "I have grown terribly selfish in the years since my Master's passing."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Caring for the happiness and wellbeing of others is a strange kind of selfishness, even if it makes you happy as well."

[thewidewideworld]

"There selfishness in wanting to touch too. To feel the good my care does." And to touch in general. Something he doesn't do much these days outside the bar.

[athelstanthescribe]

"But it does do good, asking such a little thing in return, and that's more important than why you do it."

[thewidewideworld]

"You see the best in me." He smiles softly, tracing patterns on Athelstan's chest with his fingertips.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I always have. As you do for me, perhaps where we ourselves can't."

[thewidewideworld]

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

[athelstanthescribe]

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

[thewidewideworld]

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

[athelstanthescribe]

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

[thewidewideworld]

"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."

[athelstanthescribe]

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

[thewidewideworld]

"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.

[athelstanthescribe]

He smiles a little in turn.

"I'm glad of that."

[thewidewideworld]

"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."

[athelstanthescribe]

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

[thewidewideworld]

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

[athelstanthescribe]

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

[thewidewideworld]

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