(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

[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."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Even so", he insists gently, "you're not to hide it. We'll want to know, so we can soothe you."

[thewidewideworld]

"If you will do the same for me?" He asks softly. "And let me help as best I can."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I promise." He turns to look into Sinric's eyes. "Your best help has been very good so far."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric kisses him again, soft and sweet. "However I can help, I will."

[athelstanthescribe]

"The only thing missing", Athelstan says with sudden sadness, "is Ragnar."

[thewidewideworld]

A sadness Sinric shares. He rests a hand over Athelstan's heart. "He is here."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And he always will be. But it aches to see him."

[thewidewideworld]

"I hope I can bring you to each other soon." He sighs, saddened to see them apart.

[athelstanthescribe]

"That will depend on the door, and how long each of us can stay before the restlessness sets in."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods, wishing there was some other way.

He stokes Athelstan's hair. "Until that day, you must rest and make yourself well. The better to enjoy his company."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm already stronger than I was", he says hopefully. "Perhaps after all I might get back to full health."