into the bath with Athelstan

[thewidewideworld]

{From here}

Sinric gets up slowly, stretching all of his finely toned dancer's body. He's not doing it on purpose, to excite or tease. It's just the way he is, almost careless in his sensuality.

He offers Athelstan a hand and a kiss before leading him to the bathroom.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps your voice could earn you something. Travelling singers aren't uncommon, and you would be among the best."

[thewidewideworld]

"Perhaps. It would be the easiest way to make money." Easier and safer than other skills he has.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And no one would treat you roughly that way", Athelstan adds, guessing at the thought. "If they tried, your admirers might protect you."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric kisses the turn of Athelstan's throat, grateful for his understanding. "I love in hope." He moves around Athelstan to massage his chest and arms, working down to his hands slowly.

He smiles and brings Athelstan's hands to his lips, kissing his fingertips.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan traces Sinric's lips with his fingers.

"Always live in hope."

[thewidewideworld]

"And I will have all the world to see." Sinric smiles, kissing Athelstan's palm and leaning back into the water to get his hair wet. "The good doctor is very eager to hear of the Sino Empire of my time."

[athelstanthescribe]

"As am I", he says with a flash of enthusiasm. "So very little is known of it."

[thewidewideworld]

"And another island called Japan, even further east. I would be very glad to bring you news, or bring you there, if time and place allows."

[athelstanthescribe]

"If you can reach there and find a door that opens for you here, I would like that very much."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and leans in to kiss Athelstan's cheek. "I would like that. And adventure is not an adventure without someone to share it with."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh, I'm sure you'll meet plenty of travelling companions along the way. At least for a little while."

[thewidewideworld]

"Perhaps. But I will still be thinking of you and Ragnar." He leans in to pull Athelstan into a hug.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan wraps his arms around him.

"When we can, we will be with you."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric leans against him; his lean body warm in Athelstan's arms. "Beloved." He whispers, kissing the soft skin behind Athelstan's ear.

He steps back and moves to wash Athelstan's hair before moving on to his own.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan tips his head back, now, with complete trust.

"When I'm home", he murmurs, "I'll let my hair grow again."

[thewidewideworld]

"Long enough so I can braid your hair in complicated and interesting ways." Sinric chuckles and massages Athelstan's scalp.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes, if you like." He turns just slightly to peek up at Sinric. "Or maybe I'll let it be free sometimes, too."

[thewidewideworld]

"You have such lovely soft hair. I'm amazed Ragnar can keep his hands out of it." Sinric purrs, working his thumbs gently into the base of Athelstan's skull to ease out the lingering tension there.

[athelstanthescribe]

"When we're alone - " He makes a soft sound at the head massage. " - he can't."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric chuckles softly and kisses Athelstan's neck again. "Can you tell me? What it's like to be with him alone?" To get Athelstan talking, to help him find his desire again.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I don't know that I know how to describe it." But he's willing to try. "What do you want to know, to begin?"

[thewidewideworld]

"How he touches your hair? What his expression is like when he does? How you feel when he does?" Sinric prompts gently.

[athelstanthescribe]

"How he touches my hair", Athelstan says softly, "is different at different times. It can be the most gentle in the world, or if we're - busy - it may pull a little, but I hardly care. His expression, when I've seen it, is the one I described to you before. And I feel..."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods and urges him on gently. "Do you like it when he pulls a little? Or when he strokes you softly?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Both." He leans back into Sinric's hands. "I know he doesn't quite understand that side to my desire, though he tries to accommodate me."