(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]

"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.