(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

[athelstanthescribe]

"When he brings me home", he says quietly. "I can never truly heal until then, when I will be safe."

[thewidewideworld]

He nods, knowing he can never give Athelstan the comfort and love he needs.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan looks at him.

"And I'm weighing you down."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric give him a sad look. "I'm sorry that I've made you feel that way."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You haven't - " He's starting to get frustrated with himself. "I only know it to be true, that every time we meet I make you sad, and it's only getting worse. This last time..."

[thewidewideworld]

"No, you haven't." It comes out a little more reverently than he planned. "This time you've made me sad because-" He cuts himself off, making an effort to lower his voice. "because I can't bear the thought of never seeing you again."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan closes his eyes.

"I should never have spoken to you of it, still less asked your forgiveness."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric can't answer that. Because he would rather not know but knowing, he can't change what is known. Instead the pulls Athelstan into a hug, burying his face in Athelstan's shoulder.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm lost in the darkness", Athelstan whispers, staring into space over Sinric's shoulder. "I can't see the way back to the light, and I see nothing left in me to love."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then let me see it for you." Sinric's voice catches with tears. "Let me be a light to you. Please, don't push me away."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Do you see what I fear?" he asks, low and intense. "That I'll put out your light, rather than it shining for me?"

[thewidewideworld]

"No, I don't!" He pulls back, tears steaming and his voice impassioned. "Because you don't see the fire you lit in me! You were the first lover I ever took for myself. First person I chose to share myself with because I wanted to. You were the first to show me true pleasure and more than that, I love you! Do you really think that will change just because you are hurt?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"They cut me to the quick with what they did." It's a whisper. "I still love you, never think... but that's why you must promise you'll never let me drag you into the darkness. Not you, my bright Sinric."

[thewidewideworld]

The kiss Sinric gives Athelstan now is most definitely a shut up kiss, burning with emotion. "You were with me in my darkest hour. You saw how far down I fell into my own darkness. But you and Ragnar and my Constantine pulled me back up. I won't let you fall any deeper."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan is crying, and hardly seems to have noticed.

"Then hold that lifeline with all your strength, for I weigh heavy."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric throws himself into Athelstan's arms, clinging to him. "I won't let go." He promises vehemently.

He pulls back to kiss Athelstan. "Now, come and lay down and get some proper rest. Then I'll fetch us some food." He's betting Athelstan hasn't eaten any more recently than Sinric has.

[athelstanthescribe]

He's had no appetite.

"Just something light", he says weakly, and obediently lies down.

[thewidewideworld]

Nor has Sinric had but he knows he himself doesn't fair will emotionally without food. He dries Athelstan's hair carefully before guiding him to the bed and laying down with him.

"I'd like to massage you, if you're willing?" Touch helps him to reconnect.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I always like that." He turns onto his front.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric works slowly, tracing Athelstan's muscles with oil-slicked hands as if mapping him out for the first time. He works outwards - from the centre of Athelstan's back towards his extremities, paying no mind to the time it takes as that matters less than making sure Athelstan's body relaxes well.

[athelstanthescribe]

Slowly, his knotted muscles giving way under Sinric's hands, he does relax, and the body leads the way for the mind.

[thewidewideworld]

And thus, Sinric puts extra care into his work, trying to sooth both body and mind as best he can. When he has done as much as he can on Athelstan's back, he urges Athelstan to roll over and let him work on his front with the same care.

[athelstanthescribe]

"All right", he murmurs without thought, and turns over. "You do this so well."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric accepts the complement with a warm little smile and sets to work, easing Athelstan to a state of utter relaxation. He wipes his hands clean and lays down next to him, his head resting lightly on Athelstan's shoulder.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan turns towards him, lips brushing his temple.