(no subject)

[runningred]

{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?"

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And if sex doesn't make you feel good any more at the moment, because of what happened," Ragnar says, sitting up with him and putting his arm around Athelstan, "then I'd rather do whatever else makes you feel good, one way or another, than just sex."

Pause.

"Because you."

That's not a sentence, but Ragnar hopes Athelstan understands nevertheless.

[athelstanthescribe]

He half-smiles - and yes, he does.

"I'd let you even if I'm not feeling it, you know that. But it wouldn't be the same, and I don't know if it will be again."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I can wait until it is," Ragnar says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"If you can't, you can go to someone else. Aslaug or Sinric or - anyone. I won't mind."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Sinric, here," Ragnar says. "That's different -- he has his place with us, and I sleep with him because he's Sinric. And one day, we will all be together again and share our bodies."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan looks away.

"If I can."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar leans in to kiss his cheek. "One day, you probably will."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I can't see it." He flops down on the bed. "I think I want to sleep."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar lies down beside him.

"Put your head on my shoulder, if you want to."

He opens his arms to Athelstan, and pulls at the furs to cover them both.

[athelstanthescribe]

He does, curling into Ragnar's arms. Closeness is still something he can take comfort in, at least.

He closes his eyes, more in the hope of sleep than anything.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar wraps himself around him, warm and solid, breathing evenly.

[athelstanthescribe]

It all helps. And so does the feel of Ragnar's heartbeat.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Which is strong and calm and steady.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan, slowly, begins to slip into something more like relaxation.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

After a while, Ragnar begins to snore softly and regularly.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan doesn't snore, but he might be sleeping. Or at least, something like it.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar wakes up now and then, touches his face to Athelstan's hair, and falls asleep again.

[athelstanthescribe]

He isn't going anywhere.