(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{From here}

Sinric leans Athelstan into their rooms. It's clear he hasn't slept there either. Even the mead cup sits on the table when he left it.

He draws Athelstan towards the bathroom. "Will you bathe with me?" His voice is soft and gentle. "Your clothes smell rather strongly of goat."

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"I know." He says softly, lowering himself to his knees to remove Athelstan's shoes.

There's a difference between the duty of service and the kindness of a friend. Sinric walks a fine line between them but there's loving care in every gesture.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan lifts each foot in turn to let Sinric take his shoes off, putting aside the question of who will wash his clothes until later.

[thewidewideworld]

He moves up to unlace Athelstan's pants and lift his tunic away. There's nothing sexual in his touch, even as he strokes Athelstan's hair back to remove a piece of straw.

Sometimes it's easier to act than it is to speak.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan can feel the love in every gentle touch, and it brings a lump to his throat such that he couldn't speak if he wanted to.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods and steps back, shedding his own gown and underclothes. He reaches for Athelstan's hand, leading him towards the bath.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan follows wherever Sinric wants to go, stroking his hand with roughened fingers as they walk.

[thewidewideworld]

He returns the touch, rubbing his thumb over the back of Athelstan's hand.

He runs the bath deep and hot, feeling they both need it. The scents he adds are soft ones, not strong or overpowering but the soothing smells they need.

He draws Athelstan into a slow kiss, drawing him into the bath.

[athelstanthescribe]

All the relaxation they can get is needed right now.

Athelstan steps down into the bath without pulling away from the kiss.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric eases them into the water till they're comfortable in the water. He breaking the kiss to fetch a cloth, moving wash Athelstan's shoulders.

[athelstanthescribe]

He's covered in hay dust and goat hair that found its way in under his clothes, and he turns into Sinric's touch.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric is gentle and careful, picking off the bits of straw and wiping away the dust. "May I wash your hair?" Sinric asks, his voice so very soft.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", he says quietly, not saying that Sinric doesn't need to ask - because he thinks he understands why he is asking.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric moves slowly, gently untying Athelstan's hair. He guides Athelstan to dip his hair in the water so he can rinse it out, rubbing the shampoo through deeply to massage Athelstan's scalp as he does.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan lets himself slip down into the water, putting himself entirely in Sinric's hands.

[thewidewideworld]

He washes and massages and takes gentle care of Athelstan. As the rinse the shampoo out and starts working through the conditioner, he presses a little kiss to Athelstan's shoulder.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan reaches back to rest his hand on Sinric's leg, where it's stretched out beside him.

[thewidewideworld]

The touch draws a soft sound from Sinric. Not really a purr but a sigh at least.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm sorry", Athelstan murmurs again, straight from the heart.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric shakes his head again and pulls Athelstan around into a soft kiss. "Please don't." He whispers, trying to keep tears from his eyes. "We can't change what is."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Sometimes I think - "

I should just stay there until it's over.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric lowers his eyes. "I must go back. To my Emperor. I will visit here often but I can no longer wait here, always fearing you will not return."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You have your life to live", he says quietly. "I don't want to hold you back."

[thewidewideworld]

"Just as you endure to sooner be with Ragnar, I endure to sooner set him on the path to you, as I have been preordained to do. If that is all the point of my life, it will not have been in vain."

[athelstanthescribe]

"But you live beyond that", he says, turning his head to look at him. "As far as we know."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric forces a small smile. "And if I'm fortunate, I will see you again after that. But I will have done what I think I will be given my freedom to do."