(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{from here}

Sinric waits quietly in the light of the doorway, his eyes down until he heard Athelstan's footfall on the stairs of the veranda. He rises to offer Athelstan his arm. "You should come in where it's warm."

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"And I thank you for it. For loving me though my failings have caused far more harm."

[thewidewideworld]

"You have done no harm, not to me or to Ragnar. We look after each other."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Not to you or to Ragnar", Athelstan allows. "And I pray I never will."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric sets his tea down and leans over to hug Athelstan gently.

[athelstanthescribe]

He holds his own tea cup safely away from being spilled, and leans into the hug.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric take his tea and sets him down so Athelstan can share in the hug fully. He's careful of Athelstan's wounds but there's something slightly clingy about the hug. "You're planning to leave soon, aren't you?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"I have to", he says softly. "If I stay here, I can never go home."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric buries his face in Athelstan's neck. He knows Athelstan is right. And at least he knows Athelstan will go back a little more healthy this time. "I will miss you, like a hole in my heart."

He hates himself for making this harder for Athelstan.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I will be back." He turns his head to kiss Sinric's face. "And you must take care of Ragnar if he returns while I'm gone."

[thewidewideworld]

"I will." He promises softly but with all his heart. "You know I will. Is there any message you want me to convoy to him?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Except the obvious... tell him that I was safe, and will do whatever I must to stay that way."

[thewidewideworld]

"It may be obvious but I will give him you love anyway." He brushes a gentle hand through Athelstan's hair.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And that I want him to rest, and try not to worry about me too much in my absence."

[thewidewideworld]

"Rest he may but worry, I can't promise I can keep him from." Sinric nods, aware of the power of Ragnar's brooding.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan laughs very quietly.

"Yes, that's fair. Do what you can to distract him."

[thewidewideworld]

"I will do what I can but I will always be a poor substitute for you." Sinric leans in to kiss Athelstan's cheek. "You are cold. Will you leave tonight or may we have one more night in each other's arm?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"...I can stay one more night." It makes no real difference, he tells himself, and leaving Sinric will be a wrench as it is. Perhaps he'll slip away quietly while Sinric sleeps.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods gratefully, lest he have to cry himself to sleep tonight alone.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Shall we go up now?" he asks softly.

[thewidewideworld]

He nods and gets up, clearing away the tea things and holdong out his hands to help Athelstan up. "Will you allow me to bath you before you go?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan reaches for his crutch, tucks it under his arm, and takes Sinric's hands to stand.

"Yes, I believe I will."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric eases him up, steady at Athelstan's side as they make their way back to their room.

He helps Athelstan to a chair and darts in to ready the bath.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan sits, trying to stretch his legs a little bit, and listens.

"What will you put in it?" he calls.

[thewidewideworld]

"Nothing too strong of smell." Sinric answers, fetching towels and robes. "Lest to stay on your skin and give you away. The salts that ease muscles ache might be better. And I will massage you before we sleeps so you can move easier in the morning."

He is nothing if not practical.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Very good", Athelstan agrees. "Perhaps I can try to return the favour, tonight, though you don't need it as much."