AU week - telling the tale.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin takes Athelstan's hand and leads him through a door and then another, and up a narrow flight of stairs that seem to be hidden in the walls. To another door that looks like it should be locked but isn't. (Or isn't locked anymore.)

The journey leads them into the roof and a flatish section of tiles where they can sit and look out over the lake, protected from the breeze.

"Come, sit with me." Sin strolls across the tiles, sure as a mountain goat till he finds a good spot to sit with their backs against a chimney.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"For letting me share that with you." He purrs, kissing him again. "How do you feel?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Wonderful." He wraps his arms around Sin. "There's so much I didn't dream of."

[thewidewideworld]

"And there is so much more still." Sin promises, stroking Athelstan's cheek. "For Ragnar to share with you, too."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Between you", he says softly, "you'll show me the world."

[thewidewideworld]

"I sincerely hope so." Sin laughs warmly, content just to hold Athelstan for as long as he needs or wants.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan's equally content to just lie there in the sun and be held for a while.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin sings to him, softly and gently, stoking his hair till the sun begins to set. "We should go in before it gets too cold."

[athelstanthescribe]

" - yes." He stirs reluctantly. "It won't be so nice up here at night."

[thewidewideworld]

"It can be. I slept up here the other night but there's a storm coming, I can feel it. Better to be somewhere warm and dry." He kisses Athelstan slowly. "I'd very much like to invite you to share my bed tonight."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Do you have one here?" he murmurs. "I'd be honoured."

[thewidewideworld]

"No," Sin admits with a soft chuckle. "But I understand we can get one easily enough."

[athelstanthescribe]

"They seem to never run out", he agrees.

[thewidewideworld]

"Like some kind of magic." Sin purrs, helping Athelstan up. He shimmies back into his clothes, helping Athelstan dress with little kisses.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan pulls his jeans back up and fastens them, letting himself be deliciously distracted with each brief kiss.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin's very gentle in helping him, aware of how sensitive and shaky Athelstan must still be, even after their long rest on the tiles.

[athelstanthescribe]

His knees do wobble a little as he moves to look for his shirt, and he steadies himself on Sin's arm.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin holds and supports him, nuzzling him playfully. "Come with me." He smiles, taking his hand and leading him down to the bar. "I'll arrange us a room, how about you talk to the bar about a picnic to take with us?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"That sounds good." He offers a playful smile in turn. "We've both been burning energy."

[thewidewideworld]

"And I've had rather a bit too much to drink. Something to fill my stomach might be a good idea." He comes back with a key and a basket of bath things.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan has a picnic basket, and gives the bath things a sidelong glance.

"Planning a soak?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Apparently the bar recommends we do. Perhaps the room has a particularly good bath?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Maybe it does. And it does sound nice." He opens the basket, blinks, and laughs. "Alka-Seltzer."

[thewidewideworld]

"Clearly she's worried about me too. Come." He follows the number on the key to a room.

It's a particularly lovely little room with an open fireplace and a plush looking bed. The bathroom includes a rather decadent spa. "This looks very nice, very nice indeed."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yeah, this is - very cosy." He wanders into the bathroom and side-eyes the spa. "I don't even know what some of this is."

[thewidewideworld]

"I do." Sin laughs, setting his basket of bath things down. "Fancy Italian hotels."