Ragnar's return.

[thewidewideworld]

Their rooms are as Ragnar found them - clean but recently slept in, to the point that Athelstan's robe still hangs on the back of a chair.

Sinric is quick to tidy it, straightening the bed and hanging thing back where they belong with a servant's practiced hand.

"Let me run a bath for us." He smiles, brushing his hair back into a loose braid.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric lets him cry, or simply be silent as he needs, stroking Ragnar's hair and back as he sings the soft Northumbrian lullaby that he sang for Athelstan.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar does cry, even though he's trying not to show it, not even to Sinric.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric doesn't hush him or show scorn for Ragnar's tears. Quite the opposite, he feels grateful Ragnar trusts him enough to show him.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I miss him so very much," Ragnar admits, in a very small voice that still sounds a bit choked.

[thewidewideworld]

"As he misses you." Sinric whispers, kissing Ragnar's hair. "Love and loss burns so brightly in both of you but that love will bring you back to each other."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'm just no good without him."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric coos softly and strokes Ragnar's hair. "In the world you must be seen to be strong and wise but here, you are free to feel as you feel."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"He's the only one who really can tell me to stop, too," Ragnar says. "I need him in my life, even though I can barely touch him at home."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods, still stroking Ragnar's hair and holding him. "Your hearts touch, even when your bodies cannot."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We look into each other's eyes, and know," Ragnar agrees.

[thewidewideworld]

"Then look into my eyes and know that his heart is with you." He draws Ragnar up to kiss him. "For he has told me the same as you - that he loves you, to the core."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar looks into his eyes, and very, very solemnly kisses him back.

"Tell it back to him," he whispers.


[[OOC: Wrap here?]]

[thewidewideworld]

"I will. And you have my love always too."

{ooc: perfect. Thank you.}