(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]

"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.

[athelstanthescribe]

He shows no arousal, perhaps just not well enough for that yet in body, soul or both, but he wraps his arms around Sinric and draws him close.

[thewidewideworld]

And Sinric doesn't seek it. Only the comfort of being close to his beloved friend and glad to have him back.

He snuggles close, singing a lullaby under his breath and he strokes Athelstan's hair.

[athelstanthescribe]

He presses his lips to Sinric's skin, almost chaste and just intended to give and take comfort.

"Ragnar is the missing piece of me", he murmurs without lifting his mouth away, "but you, I love as much."

[thewidewideworld]

"As I love you." Sinric answers, taking and returning the kisses in kind; as a reconnecting of them rather than anything meant to stir passion. "Rest now, my Athelstan. And if your peace is broken, I will be with you. Let my song and my touch guide you back to safer shores."

[athelstanthescribe]

He holds Sinric, nestling his head down in the pillow, and asks softly, "Will you sing me to sleep?"

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric answers with a kiss and starts to sing. The song is an old one, sung in the days of might Hector and Achilles, killer of men. It is a woman's song, calling her warrior love home to her across the deep water. Singing down his spear and shield that he might return to her bed.