thewidewideworld | (no subject)

{from here}

Sinric leads Athelstan back to their room, stopping at the bar to have a quiet word with the bar before they go. When they arrive in their rooms, the bed has been spread with a large, warm bear-fur and draped with silk. There are candles on the table, at bedside, on the windowsill, bathing the room in soft, warm light.

Sinric smiles and leads Athelstan towards the bed. "This night is for you, beloved Athelstan. We'll go only as far as you're ready for."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

athelstanthescribe

"The muscles protest being treated so", he murmurs. "But then as they relax, the ache fades away."

From:

thewidewideworld

"Good." Sinric whispers, pressing a kiss to the tip of Athelstan's thigh. "I hope the protests pass quickly and the relaxation takes hold."

He finishes Athelstan's legs and works up into his rear and lower back, stopping short of where the healing marks cross his back. "When these are healed well enough, I will see to your back also. But until then, I fear I may do more damage than good.

He moved then to slide Athelstan's shirt over his head, guiding him into his side to massage his shoulders, neck and down his arms.

From:

athelstanthescribe

He nods into the pillow, letting Sinric put him wherever he wants him - and oh, that does feel good.

"Best not risk reopening the cuts."

From:

thewidewideworld

Sinric sheds his overtunic, laying down at Athelstan's front to work slow circles into the muscles of his chest, careful of the bandages.

His underdress is fine white linen that drapes and falls around Sinric's lithe form, obscuring little. With his nipples small and hard thorough the soft cloth and a shadow falling between his thighs, there is nothing to mark him out as male, but a beautiful girl, fair and sweet.

He works his hands gently over Athelstan's pecs, finding the tightness that pulls at his neck and shoulders. "I should fetch a cloth when I'm done, to clean off the oil." But he doesn't want to lift his hands off Athelstan yet.

From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan doesn't want him to either, groaning as Sinric works over his strained muscles.

"Does it not rub in?"

From:

thewidewideworld

"Some, but not all. And I have been generous with it so the pain is less and the skin doesn't pull as much." He explains, dropping a small kiss in the side of Athelstan's throat.

From:

athelstanthescribe

He nods gratefully, tipping his head without thought to expose more of his throat, because that's always been a sensitive point for him.

"Finish first, then, as we have all night. And if it's not wiped away... the bear fur won't be hurt by it."

From:

thewidewideworld

Sinric hums and makes the most of the bared throat, kissing and nibbling, even as he keeps massaging. "Very true but I could go all night and might not get all of the knots from your muscles. But I will try."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"You'll still have me better than when we started", he says, soft and grateful, and kisses the nearest spot of Sinric's skin.

From:

thewidewideworld

The loose underdress sits opens at the shoulder, exposing the milky skin of Sinric's neck and collarbone. He sighs softly at the kiss, his hands alternating between massaging and caressing Athelstan's chest. "If I can ease your pain even a little, I will be glad."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"You already have." He reaches up to stroke that exposed skin with his fingers now, the touches more hesitant than they would have been before.

From:

thewidewideworld

The slight shift in Sinric's breathing lets Athelstan know the touch is most welcome. He lets his eyes drift closed a moment, just enjoying as he slides his hands over Athelstan's chest, clever thumbs easing aching strains.

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Sinric", he whispers, not arching up into Sinric's hands but enjoying them just as much. "You'll stay with me, come what may?"

From:

thewidewideworld

"Tonight and always." Sinric promises, pressing kisses to Athelstan's cheek and ear, his voice soft but firm. "We are fated, beloved Athelstan. The three of us. We belong."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"We belong." There's an ache in his voice despite himself. "And if nothing else, if - if something prevents Ragnar... we'll have Milliways."

From:

thewidewideworld

"Athelstan, look at me." His dark eyes blaze as he cups Athelstan's cheek. "You are two halves of the same whole. Even if the breadth of the world stood between you, you would find your way back to each other."

He pulls Athelstan to him, holding him close. "He will come for you. Here and in the world. You will hold each again. You must hold that to your heart like armour so despair can never pierce you."

From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan swallows, looking into Sinric's eyes.

"If you see despair creeping into me, remind me of this. Remind me often."

From:

thewidewideworld

"I will." He promises. "Trust in this." He brings the armband to his lips, kissing the warm metal of Athelstan's arm ring.

"And this." He kisses Athelstan's chest over his heart.

"And this." He brings Athelstan's hand to rest over his heart, Athelstan's strong hand settled between his breasts.

From:

athelstanthescribe

"I feel it." It's a rough whisper. "And if my God has abandoned me to find my own way, at least I have the two of you."

From:

thewidewideworld

His eyes warm with love as he draws Athelstan into a soft kiss. "We make our own holy trinity - you, Ragnar and I. And say our prayers to each other."

For someone who has never known God's light and love, blasphemy comes easily to him.

From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan's eyes widen in a shock based in the deep-rooted teachings of childhood, but he returns the kiss.

"Perhaps it was Ragnar I prayed to on the cross, and perhaps it was Odin who heard."

From:

thewidewideworld

"Forgive me, beloved Athelstan. I don't mean to speak profanity." Sinric apologies, realising his words cause Athelstan discomfort.

"Perhaps if Ragnar is truly descended from Odin, your prayers were heard by the father of the gods all the same. No matter who your heart addressed them to."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"I would forgive you anything." He strokes Sinric's face again. "Some god sent the king at the right moment to spare my life, that I know. But my own hasn't spoken to me for a long time, and now I have lost the words to speak to Him."

From:

thewidewideworld

Sinric shakes his head, kissing Athelstan's hand and holding him close. "I have never heard the voice of God the way you do, any of the gods. The way the Varangians smile at the storm or the way the Arabs turn as a man towards Mecca at sunset. There is a power there I..." He shrugs. "I don't understand. I am sorry your god no longer calls to you but that doesn't mean you're alone."