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

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar sinks into the bath with him, leaning into the touch, and sighing deeply.

"I will write him a letter," Ragnar says. "So he's got something he can touch."

[thewidewideworld]

"He will like that, very much. I would be glad to help, if I can. Even if it's just to scribe the words."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I can write," Ragnar says, "if not well. And I want everything to be my own work, even if it's hard, especially if it's hard, for his sake."

[thewidewideworld]

He nods, bowing slightly out of respect for Ragnar's aims. "Even if he can't take your letter safely with him, your words will mean the world to him."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar nods. "I hope so," he says.

They mean the world to each other as it is, Athelstan and he.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric fetches a cloth and starts washing Ragnar gently, his hands soft but sure over his skin. "There is much he will need of you when you come again into each other's arms. Much care and understanding, as I did."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"But he wasn't -- what has that king done??" Ragnar says, grim all of a sudden.

[thewidewideworld]

"Not like that." Sinric answers quickly, a hand in Ragnar's arm. "Not like I was but he has been hurt, violence was used in him."

"And as it was with me, that leaves... wounds on the soul than manifest as panic and nightmares and fear without cause. And sometimes blocks the way to pleasures. As you were gentle with me, you will need to be gentle with him."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I just want to hold him and be gentle and tell him I love him and wake him when he has nightmares," Ragnar says, unhappy.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric lowers the cloth and moves to hold Ragnar in his arms, knowing this separation is breaking both their hearts.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar holds him in his arms and hides his face in the golden hair, saying nothing.

[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.}