(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{from here}

Sinric takes Athelstan's hand and leads him through an almost invisible door and down a couple of seemingly perfectly flat hallways that somehow open out onto the rooftop and a little flat terrace with a view of the eastern sky.

Sinric clearly spends some time up here because the spot is furnished with a daybed big enough to lay on or for two to sit together comfortingly and is draped with soft furry blankets of a cloth unknown in their time.

He helps Athelstan to the daybed and sits with him, setting the flask aside for now. The stars are still clear in the sky, even as dawn smudges the horizon with warmth.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric turns to lift the glasses, looking into Athelstan's eyes. "I hope this will be a safe place for you, as it is for me. That you know you can always come to when you need be alone, even from me if needed?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Sinric." He touches Sinric's face again, gentle as ever. "I wouldn't chase you away from here. But if you aren't in it first, yes, it may well be."

[thewidewideworld]

He takes Athelstan's hand and kisses his palm, careful of his wound. "I know, and I understand. You won't chase me away from anywhere but I understand the need for solitude too. I only usually come here at dawn or if something shakes me and I need time to think."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"And my worst times are in the deep night, usually."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods and entwines his fingers in Athelstan's. "Then the stars will watch over you and the dawn watches over me. There is blankets aplenty and the nights here grow milder but I will ask the bar to provide a warm cloak for you." The ever practical servant.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles at him.

"You take such good care of me."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric knells up a little to kiss Athelstan's forehead. "I love you." He answers simply. Because that is all the answer Athelstan should need.

[athelstanthescribe]

It is, and as Sinric pulls back, he leans in to kiss him softly on the lips.

"Then the least I can do is what I can to see you content and rested."

[thewidewideworld]

The kiss makes him smile sweetly as he returns it. "I am both rested and content. And very glad of your company. We can stay out here as long as you desire."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps we could sleep here", he suggests. "It's not so cold, and we have blankets."

[thewidewideworld]

The daybed is more than wide enough and Sinric nods, shifting to lay them down more comfortable. The sun is well over the horizon now and warn on their skin as he lays them down side by side. He shifts his arms around Athelstan to hold him close, singing softly.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan shifts himself closer in turn, holding Sinric.

"When we have Kattegat back", he murmurs, "you should visit us there."

[thewidewideworld]

"I'd like that. I'd like to see your world. And perhaps to show you mine before I leave the palace."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll go with you at any time you wish." Even now, if Sinric wanted. "With a proper story to explain me."

[thewidewideworld]

"That I will need to put some thought to." He muses, nuzzling Athelstan's hair. "I suppose no-one would question the Earl if he brought me to your town?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"It might cause some question if you were just there and no one saw you arrive. But we could bring you to some place outside the town, and walk back in."

[thewidewideworld]

He nods, seeing the wisdom in that. "As you say. Perhaps you will show me the hut you and Ragnar share when you need your privacy?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", Athelstan agrees with a smile. "It's a sturdy little place, and keeps the wind and rain out."

[thewidewideworld]

"And keeps out the eyes of the world." He strokes Athelstan's cheek. "Perhaps that is where you should go in your mind, when the eyes on you grow too heavy. To your hut, to Ragnar's smile."

[athelstanthescribe]

"That would be good", he agrees softly. "If I can't flee from them in reality, I can close my eyes and imagine myself away."

[thewidewideworld]

"That is what the doctor taught me. To go into my mind and find a place safe and happy to cast myself to till the fear subsides."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Does the fear often come on you, now?" Athelstan asks.

[thewidewideworld]

"Not as it once did. But sometimes." He confesses softly. "Sometime smells or touches bring back my fears. But then I close my eyes and return here, to you and Ragnar and remember what it was to fall asleep in your arms and the fear becomes less."

[athelstanthescribe]

It touches his heart that he and Ragnar are Sinric's safe space, and he strokes Sinric's face gently.

"I hope if we ever accidentally cause it, you'll tell us?"

[thewidewideworld]

He shakes his head. "I know you and Ragnar would never do anything to harm me, or to frighten me without cause. Sometimes the fear comes on me caused by nothing, suddenly like a shock. I would never blame you for that."