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]

"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."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Then you'll have to educate me", he says lightly.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin grins and shows him what each of the dials and taps is for, how to increase the pressure of the jets or select which ones to have on. How to make the bath maintan temperature for a longer soak.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Everything you could want out of a bath", he says when the lesson's over. "And the room out there looks like my house."

[thewidewideworld]

"Really? Maybe that's why she chose it for us, to make you feel at home. I imagine you living surrounded by books and comfy blankets."

[athelstanthescribe]

"That's pretty much it", he agrees. "I picked a little old house and I've kept it renovated but without central heating, so I have open fires a lot."

[thewidewideworld]

Sin smiles and pulls him into a kiss. "Then let's stretch out in front of your fireplace and enjoy our picnic first. Then we can soak or sleep as we see fit."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan slides his arms around Sin, returning the kiss.

"That sounds great. We can always have a bath in the morning."

[thewidewideworld]

"Hmm, I like the sound of that. The idea of having a morning with you." Sin smiles, touching his nose to Athelstan's. "Should we warn Ragnar I've kidnapped you?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"If he asks the Bar", Athelstan murmurs, unwilling to go back downstairs now, "I'm sure she'll point him up here."

[thewidewideworld]

"Good point. You never know, he might crawl in with us at some point during the night." A prospect Sin rather enjoys. "I'm pretty sure the bed is big enough."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And the bath should take three easily, too." He's just a touch nervous at the prospect of the three of them together, since that's another new thing, but not unwilling. Changing the subject, "Do you often get leisurely mornings with people after?"

[thewidewideworld]

Sin notices Athelstan's nerves and soothes him with a kiss.

"I like to, when I can. Or when the situation suits. Sometimes I prefer leisurely weekends, taking it slow to enjoy each other's company before parting ways. I've had loving affairs that have lasted for weeks or months before the time came to drift onwards."

"But sometimes is a passing fancy and a parting kiss before the sun is up. Everything depends on the person."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I guess you'll know what's right when it's right", he agrees.

[thewidewideworld]

"Pretty much." He eases Athelstan to come sit by the fire. "With you, like with Ragnar, I feel like I could drift in and out, disappear for months or years but always find a welcome when our paths cross again. Some people, you just know will always be a part of your life in one form or another."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan's hand is warm in his as they sit down, the basket in reach of either of them.

"I feel like I'll always be comfortable with you. But I hope you won't be out of touch for years at a time, wherever you go."

[thewidewideworld]

He kisses Athelstan's hand and smiles, a little sadly. "I'll try not to but I can't make any promises."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan strokes his hand and his hair and kisses him softly.

"Then we'll see."

[thewidewideworld]

"I'm rarely far away from my phone so you can always find me that way." He investigates the picnic basket, looking for something to munch on.

[athelstanthescribe]

"That's all I meant", he says with a nod. "Just to be able to talk to you."

[thewidewideworld]

"I can't always promise to answer right away but I will always call back as soon as I can. You have my work." He give Athelstan a long slow kiss. "I am going to miss you."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You'll be living your life", he says with a nod, kissing back. "Not waiting for my calls. But I'll miss you too."

[thewidewideworld]

"More that I can't answer my phone while I'm riding and sometimes I end up in places without cell access."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan laughs quietly.

"That too. Up a Nepalese mountain isn't a place with coverage."