runningred | (no subject)

{From here}

Jay leads them into his room. It's comfortably large and mostly taken up by benches and a decadent looking bed.

He pulls a fold out massage table out from under a bench and starts wiping things down to create a clean space to work. "Ragnar, I think it's best you go first. Have you decided where you want the receiver?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

"Breathe," Ragnar echoes, stroking Athelstan's shoulders with warm, calming hands.

From:

athelstanthescribe

He nods very briefly, trying to concentrate on Ragnar's hands and his own breathing.

And then it's over.

From:

runningred

Jay steps out of the way and pours him some water, waiting till Athelstan's ready. And giving them space.

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

"Athelstan," Ragnar is murmuring. "Athelstan. It's over. All is well."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"I know", he manages, trying to force his breathing back under control.

From:

runningred

Jay presses the water into his hand and pours a glass of soda to follow it.

"The receivers will be a hell of a lot easier." He promises.

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

Ragnar stands again, and puts a warm hand on Athelstan's back as he drinks.

"So the worst is over."

From:

athelstanthescribe

He finishes the water and reaches for the soda.

"For both of us."

From:

runningred

Jay tidies up, pressing a small bandaid over the needle's small cut.

And backs off to give them both time and space, letting them say when they're ready for the next step.

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

Ragnar is stroking Athelstan's shoulders. "It was a bit odd, wasn't it?"

From:

athelstanthescribe

"You and your understatements."

He leans into the touch, shivering.

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

"I'm glad it's done with," Ragnar adds, quickly dipping his head to kiss the nape of Athelstan's neck.

From:

runningred

Jay perch himself on a bench, gesturing for Athelstan to put on his clothes if the warmth will help. "Hurt like a bastard when I tested it. A bit odd doesn't cover it!"

From:

athelstanthescribe

He pulls his shirt back over his head, accidentally exposing his back to Jay for a moment as he does.

"You tested it on yourself, alone?"

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

"That can't have been much fun," Ragnar says. "Thank you for that."

From:

runningred

Jay shrugs. "I had the drones monitoring. Needed to be sure it would work first."

He spots Athelstan's back but doesn't mention it. All three of them have scars, both good and bad.

"I can pop the receivers in now if you like? That way you can get out of here and be alone if you want to." He doesn't want to intrude on their time together.

He grabs a small injectors, something like a handheld surgical staple gun. "Just roll up your sleeve to where you want it.

From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan looks at Ragnar.

"You first again?"

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

Not quite letting go of Athelstan, Ragnar holds out out his arm and turns it so Jay can easily get at the inside of his biceps.

From:

runningred

Jay holds the injector against the skin in the right spot and pulls the trigger. There's a small, sharp pinch that might ache like a bruise and a feeling like these's a splinter under the skin as he pulls back.

He rubs gloved hands over the area, making sure the receiver is in the right spot sub-dermally and cleans the little cut. "There. Just give it a day to knit and it'll be fine. Athelstan?" he swiftly cleans and reloads the injector.

From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan nods and holds out his arm as Ragnar did.

"Such a little wound, I can hide easily."

From:

bigarmy_strangepants

Nevertheless, Ragnar still holds on to Athelstan's shoulder, even for this small thing.

From:

runningred

"Give it a day or two, it'll just look like a nasty scratch. Like you caught yourself on something."

Jay repeats the process, swift and efficient, massaging the little pod into the grove between the muscles. "All done."