(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{From here}

Sinric leads Athelstan back to their rooms, through a door behind the stairs. Their rooms are neatly kept and clean. It's clear Sinric has been very watchful about his duty to keep their rooms. He brings a chair over for Athelstan before heading off to run him a bath.

"Are the painkillers helping? I can fetch stronger ones, if you need them?"

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"They are-" He catches himself, rethinking his words with care. "They are healing. And will heal. With the help of the doctors and healers here, the scars can be eased."

[athelstanthescribe]

"They're ugly, aren't they", Athelstan says quietly. "And I can't have them wiped away."

But lessened a bit, maybe.

[thewidewideworld]

"They are very distinct. I can see why they are so painful." He moves up to Athelstan's thighs, still gentle and careful. His touch is personal but he tries to keep them from becoming too intimate, lest Athelstan isn't ready for such touches.

[athelstanthescribe]

He isn't sure he'd be able to satisfy anyone, let alone Sinric, and hasn't let himself think of it - but he welcomes the gentle touches wherever Sinric is willing to go.

"That should ease on its own with time, I hope."

[thewidewideworld]

"With care and time." Sinric promises, moving up to the nasty knot in Athelstan's hip where the jarring of his broken step must be causing him pain. He keeps his touches gentle and away from anything that might feel sexual just yet. Unless Athelstan gives him cause to do otherwise.

"When I have done with your legs, do you feel strong enough and safe enough to kneel and lead in the edge of the bath? There are knots in the tops of your thighs but only if you feel safe to do so."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I can kneel", Athelstan agrees. "If I can make a stable position - and the edge of the bath will be good support."

[thewidewideworld]

"Try and see. But if you don't feel comfortable, I can try later when you are laying on a bed." He offers softly.

[athelstanthescribe]

"All right." He rearranges himself, turning to kneel with his back to Sinric, and rests his head on the towel again.

[thewidewideworld]

"Can you fold your arms under your chest? It will give you more support."

He waits till Athelstan is comfortable before working his fingers into the lower curve of Athelstan's rear and the top of his thighs, working towards his outer hips. His little hands are strong and practiced.

[athelstanthescribe]

He does just that, keeping his hands clear, and then Sinric starts to work and he hums in appreciation.

[thewidewideworld]

He works hard, wanting to ease as much pain as he can as swiftly as possible. He moves to Athelstan's side, working on Athelstan's abs and ribs, keeping his hands away from the scars across Athelstan's back.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You're good at this", Athelstan murmurs, relaxing more every minute.

[thewidewideworld]

"I try very hard to take care of the people I love." He smiles and kisses Athelstan's shoulder. "And my master suffers from stiffness in his joints."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Advancing years", he says absently. "Are you able to relieve him?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I do my best. Most day he is alright but any hard riding or standing too long makes him ache. He gets cramps and soreness in his feet that make the rest of his legs sore. Bathing and massage help him sleep without pain."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"It's good you'll be going on campaign with him, then. He may have to do without bathing, but he can have his massages."

[thewidewideworld]

"I had not thought to use that argument to sway him." Sinric notes with interest, his clever thumbs still working, now at the tops of his shoulders, careful of the cuts. "I shall have to put it to him."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Is he still resisting?" He moans as Sinric's thumbs dig in. "Or haven't you started yet?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I've started on him. He doesn't want to take me, doesn't want me near a battle but I know I can convince him. Even if it takes me all the time we have left."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It would be a shame for you to have to badger him all that time", Athelstan says quietly, "but the goal is so important."

[thewidewideworld]

"It is a careful game. The grumbling in the west worries him, keeping him awake at night. The fear of war is very much on his mind."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Have you been able to distract him from that also? At least sometimes?"

Athelstan's own fears of what Ragnar will have to do are weighing on him, but he tries to force them aside.

[thewidewideworld]

"I work very hard on it. And the other birds do too. Probus and I have becomes very adapt at distracting him together."

He moves up onto the edge of the bath, massaging Athelstan's neck and shoulder, his fingers working at the base of his skull.

[athelstanthescribe]

That gets another involuntary moan out of him, as the knots of stress and pain start to unravel under Sinric's fingers.

"You know him well enough", he manages.

[thewidewideworld]

"He is my father, my lover, my master and my lord. And I love him as deeply as he loves me." Sinric's voice grows soft and wistful.