(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]

"A proud warrior of the North." Sinric smiles, although sadness fills his eyes. "A true Viking." He understands some of the implications of the word from the Varangians.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And a good Viking, following Ragnar's example. One who may steal, but doesn't set out to kill the defenceless."

Lindisfarne was - a mistake, in that way, as the raiders didn't expect to find men not ready to fight. But for Athelstan, speaking of himself, it's an attempt to convince himself he's not a bad person despite the death of the young monk.

[thewidewideworld]

He nods. "That tallies with what I know of the Varangians of court. They value honour above riches so fight only those who are worth the fight."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Your Varangians are the best of the North, then. Not all can say the same, but then, that's true of every people... I'd like to meet Gunnarr the Proud, one day."

He's still leaning into Sinric's touches, drawing every scrap of comfort he can from them.

[thewidewideworld]

"It is only the best whose service is selected by the court. Many Varangian serve in the army but only those highest in valour and skill are selected to serve the Emperor's household."

"I too hope I will see him again. He stayed on, in my Emperor's service when Leo was sent away but chose to take his people and household west to the Rus lands when the Prince returned to court. He gave me a beautiful gift before he left. A pendant made of crystal set in silver. He said any of his town would know it as his should I ever seek him."

He massages Athelstan's scalp again, finding the places that ease rest and relax body and mind.

[athelstanthescribe]

His eyes are half-lidded, but he's still awake.

"Do you keep it here, where no one can take it from you?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I haven't but I will. I have not been back since I came in the night if the Frankish ambassador's reception so I have only my collar of stars, my Sun mask and the clothes I keep here. When next I return I will bring back my things for safe keeping."

He kisses Athelstan's temple. "I should finish washing you so we can move to the bed."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm in your hands", he murmurs. "As ever."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric kisses his shoulder and starts to wash his hair and skin, carefully to keep the soap from stinging his wounds.

He moves into the edge of the bath and guides Athelstan to lay back on the cushioning towel again, combing the knots from his still wet hair with a practiced hand.

All then while he sings, soft and gentle.

[athelstanthescribe]

His hair has been neglected, and the tangles are many, but he doesn't complain as Sinric gently combs them out.

"Thank you", he says softly.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric leans in to kiss him softly. "There is nothing you need thank me for." He whispers, doing a final comb through to be sure. Most of the birds have long hair and they're good at looking after each other without pulling on knots.

"Come, let me dry you and rebind your wounds before you sleep." He holds out a hand to help Athelstan up.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan takes it, resting all his weight on his uninjured heels as he stands - it's awkward, but at least it doesn't hurt.

"Will you sleep yourself, now I'm returned safely?"

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric guides him to a chair, kneeling at to dry his legs and feet with care. "Yes, and very gladly if you will have me at your side."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll never turn you away", Athelstan says softly, looking down at him with love.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles up at him, matching love for love. He rises to kiss Athelstan's lips, the kiss sweet. "Of that I am very grateful but I will understand too, when there are times you need space and solitude."

[athelstanthescribe]

"If I do", he promises, touching Sinric's hand, "I'll seek it, but these are your rooms too."

[thewidewideworld]

"I know. But I have my own bed, should the need come and the door can be left open so I can hear if you call out." He gently runs a hand thought Athelstan's hair. "I will be here, however you need me. As you were for me."

He towels Athelstan's hair and body, fetches fresh bandages and a healing ointment for his wounds.

[athelstanthescribe]

He keeps still for the ointment to be applied, looking down at the terrible wounds in his hands and feet.

"Do you think they'll heal?" he whispers after a moment. "Enough?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Yes." Sinric answers with a confidence born more of hope and reassurance than certainty. "Already the muscle and sinew knit. You will walk without pain and hold things again, so long as you give yourself time to heal."

[athelstanthescribe]

He has trouble mustering that confidence, but nods after a moment.

"My fingers do work almost as well as ever."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then the muscles remain undamaged." For which he would thank the gods if gods mattered to him.

He guides Athelstan to lean forward, careful with the wounds of his back. "These are healing well and need only the bandages to protect them as you sleep."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan does as he's directed, obedient as a child in Sinric's hands.

"Those were lesser, I think. Sharp and cutting, but not so deeply."

[thewidewideworld]

He nods. "They broke open the skin but did not cut so deep into the muscle." It could have been far worse.

He carefully ties off the last bandage and offers Athelstan his hand. "Come to bed with me and rest your weary soul. You are safe and loved and will heal."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan takes his hand lightly, then for the first time since he came in so injured, leans in to initiate a kiss himself.

"As you have and will."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric leans into the kiss, very glad for it.

He leads Athelstan to the bed and helps him to lay down between the soft mattress and the warm blankets, luxuries a straw pallet will never come close to.

He takes a moment to dry himself off, pushing his hair back in a braid before siding in with him. Naked and warm from the bath, Sinric is like a human hot water bottle curled against Athelstan's front.