(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{From here.}

Sinric walks with Athelstan, up the stairs and into their rooms joined by magical doors that lead to different places.

"Would you help me out of this?" He gestures to the wide collar of gold and stars. "The clasps are at the back."

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar moves is head slightly so he can kiss Sinric's lips and eyelids, very gently, as he can be.

[thewidewideworld]

Their gentleness does little to dispel the joyful tears but he settles between them, sharing soft kisses and gentle touches until he's calm again. "You will spoil me for all others." He whispers, smiling softly.

[athelstanthescribe]

"All others except your emperor", Athelstan says gently. "And perhaps you'll find someone in your own time to love you just as much."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And if not, we will always wait for you," Ragnar adds.

[thewidewideworld]

"Constantine will always own a half of my heart as he has owned my body. But you will always own the other half." He promises, "And should it come that I love another, I will love them with the kindness you have taught me."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You shouldn't be alone", Athelstan says softly, "when you're not with us. I hope you do find someone who'll love you as you deserve."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar is stroking both their shoulders, preferring touch to words, for once.

[thewidewideworld]

"I hope I should be as lucky as you, to have found the other part of your soul."

[athelstanthescribe]

"He - or she, I suppose - is out there somewhere", Athelstan says with confidence.

Even if Sinric couldn't please a woman the usual way, he could still love one.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar is kissing them both, pondering how very much Athelstan is indeed the other half of his soul, and how lucky he is.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric huffs a soft laugh and strokes Athelstan's hair. "And what would I have to offer a wife, but a model for her clothes. I have pleasured women in the past but I have nothing to give beyond that."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Love and affection", Athelstan says firmly, "and perhaps a breadwinner. Some widow with children already might be very glad of that."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Whatever you choose," Ragnar murmurs, "you'll always be welcome with us, if you want us."

[thewidewideworld]

He smiles damply, risking tears again and he hugs them close. "That is worth more to me that all the riches in the Empire."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan wraps his arms around him and kisses him.

"As you are to us."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You are," Ragnar agrees, and kisses each of them once more.

[thewidewideworld]

"I hope I can return the kindness you have shown me one day." He smiles, eyes growing heavy with the mellow afterglow, happy to cuddle between them.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You're already returning the love", Athelstan notes, stroking his temple.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And you know that you will," Ragnar adds. "After all, we wouldn't be here without you."

[thewidewideworld]

He kisses them both. "May I stay with you tonight? I don't wish to impose but I have missed you both so and hope you will permit me to sleep in your arms."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's no imposition", Athelstan says immediately. "We'd be sorry if you didn't."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We want you here, Sinric," Ragnar adds.

[thewidewideworld]

He leans up to kiss Athelstan then Ragnar, curling tight between them. "Thank you. I thought of you, and this, every morning at dawn when I sat on the walls and watches the sun rise. I thought of the time I spent with you and prayed it has not been a dream. And that I may one day have this again."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And now you do", Athelstan says, smiling down at him.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar, his arms around them both, gives a contented hum that is almost a purr.