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

[athelstanthescribe]

"I didn't get to spend a lot of time with people who were as accepting as you and Ragnar", Athelstan says quietly. "I was home-schooled, so not even there."

[thewidewideworld]

"School was a rude awakening for me. To realise the life I had lived was... wrong."

He brushes his hand over Athelstan's cheek, "We'll introduce you to more people."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I think that's part of why we weren't sent. He didn't want us to know other people didn't think the same things." He leans into the hand. "Or that other kids' parents didn't keep the cane by the door. I'd like that."

[thewidewideworld]

"More and more grateful Ragnar found you." Sin whispers, brushing his lips over Athelstan's cheek.

"But their control over you lasted, even as adult?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"You don't shed it that easily", he says quietly. "When I was 21, I came into everything my parents left and I bought my house. But it was... if I don't go to church every morning, and dinner at Uncle Cuthbert and Aunt Mary's every night, I'd better have a real good reason."

The 'don't' is an unconscious slip.

[thewidewideworld]

"Do you think they've sent a search party out for you yet? You must have missed a few dinners by now." Sin jokes.

[athelstanthescribe]

He shakes his head.

"Time here doesn't count. We'd had dinner before you all showed up at the church hall, and I went the night Ragnar came to my house. I just stayed very quiet."

[thewidewideworld]

Sin watches him worriedly. "And when you leave here with Ragnar for the festival?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"When I go to the festival..." He sighs. "I'm going to have to either lie to them, say it's a business trip or something, or tell them I'm running away with a male biker and probably be excommunicated on the spot."

[thewidewideworld]

"I won't and can't tell you what to do, lovely Athelstan. But know, whatever you do, Ragnar and I will be there for you. Only you can decide what you're ready for."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's tempting to shock them all", he admits. "But I don't want to give anybody an actual heart attack."

[thewidewideworld]

He runs his thumb over Athelstan's inner wrist, letting him take his time to process.

[athelstanthescribe]

"My cousins", he says quietly. "They were more like my brothers. And we used to sneak in and take care of each other, after..."

He's going to miss them.

[thewidewideworld]

"Maybe they're the people you need to talk to first?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Maybe", he agrees, with reluctance from fear.

[thewidewideworld]

"But you don't have to do it alone if you don't want to. I'll go with you, if you want me to." He laughs softly at himself. "I'm no use in a fight but you know I can talk, help them to understand."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I don't want it to come to a fight", he says softly. "I'm not much use at them either."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then for that, we have Ragnar and his people. But words might be a safer start."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I know Ragnar's angry. But I don't want to hurt them. I just want to..."

[thewidewideworld]

"To be at peace with who you are?" Sin prompts gently.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", he says quietly. "I've tried to fight it for too long."

[thewidewideworld]

Sin strokes his cheek, his face warm and a little flushed with the drink and strong emotions. "You're not fighting that battle any more. And if you must fight, you won't stand alone."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan has barely touched the drink, but he is full of the strong emotions, tamped down though they are.

Impulsively, he leans over to kiss Sin again, with a murmur of "Thank you."

[thewidewideworld]

Sin sighs into the kiss, enjoying the warmth of it. "Thank you. It's been a long time since I felt open enough to tell my tale to anyone."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm glad you could with me. And", he promises, "it'll stay between us. Not even Ragnar, unless you tell him yourself."