OOM: Getting all that blood off

[bigarmy_strangepants]

The moment Ragnar comes into their rooms, the unstraps his sword belt and takes off his leather jerkin. They're caked with half-dry blood and other nasty matter.

"If we came back too clean," he muses, "it would be suspicious."

So he'll have to put the leathers back on as they are before going back.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "So we can clean ourselves, but the clothes will have to go unwashed."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"At least the top layer," Ragnar says. "I think I'm opting for clean breeches."

[athelstanthescribe]

"What nobody can see", he agrees, shedding his own clothes, "we can get away with."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"It's good not to have trousers stiff with blood," Ragnar says, getting his own off.

For once, everything there is just hanging down, even in the presence of Athelstan.

Batch first, other things to follow.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan heads for the bathroom to start the water running.

"Do you have spare ones here? I think those might be beyond saving."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We'll have to go down to the bar and get new ones," Ragnar says. "They have these coats made of towels for that, don't they?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh yes, they do. So we can be decent even without our regular clothes."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"It'll be good to not go around clinking with weapons and creaking in leather just for once," Ragnar says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"There hasn't been much time without that, lately?" he says wryly. "Not even in camp."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"No," Ragnar says. "Clank, clank, clank, creak."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Then we should make the most of it while we're here. Even if it's just one night - a real bed, Ragnar, one night in a real bed."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"To make love in, and to" -- grin! - "sleep!"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes." He grins. "With no one interrupting your sleep with questions or demands."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And gently snoring into the ears of one of my favourite people ever, who will be snuggled into my arms," Ragnar grins.

It's something they get to do even more rarely than sex, or kissing, or saying 'I love you', in their world.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll even put up with the snoring without complaint", Athelstan says generously.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar chuckled, and comes over to kiss Athelstan.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan kisses him back, hungrily after so long without it, then glances over his shoulder.

"The bath's ready."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Oh yes, please," Ragnar says, looking at the hot water with longing.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan steps away to turn the taps off, then slides into the water and looks at Ragnar expectantly.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar, completely naked now, steps into the bath as well and sits down, making a bit of a splash.

Ragnar and water. It's inevitable.

[athelstanthescribe]

Of course it is.

Athelstan watches him sit down, then lifts a hand and beckons slightly.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar first immerses himself completely into the water, and then approaches Athelstan from mostly underwater, sliding into Athelstan's arms.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan's arms close around him, and he leans in for another kiss.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar kisses him deeply, and snuggles into Athelstan's arms.

[athelstanthescribe]

It's usually the other way around, but he finds he likes this as well.

"Lie back", he murmurs, "and I'll do your braid."