OOM: Returning Eunuch

[bigarmy_strangepants]

It is late in the day, and Ragnar is lounging in his room, talking to Athelstan.

He could spend eternity just talking to Athelstan, and then an eternity again with all the other Athelstan-related things.

But they never run out of things to talk about, it seems.

"... will turn seawater into potable water, like making salt, just the other way around," he is saying.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"Oh." Sinric frowns, next expecting that sort of violence and cruelty.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I did say it was gruesome", he says quietly.

[thewidewideworld]

"No, you were right." He gives Athelstan a little bump. "But he made wings and flew away. Better than Daedalus and Icarus managed."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes, the story ended rather better for him than for poor Icarus", he agrees.

[thewidewideworld]

"How does it end? Weyland becomes one of the gods?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"By sheer force of character, as far as I can tell."

[thewidewideworld]

"Maybe Jay is one of his kin then. He seems to have force of character behind him." Sinric grins.

[athelstanthescribe]

"That, he certainly does", Athelstan agrees. "And a formidable will."

[thewidewideworld]

"And long may his will be turned to the advantage of his friends." Sinric settles down to snuggle against Athelstan's side. "How do your hands feel?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Better than when you started." He flexes them. "Thank you."

[thewidewideworld]

"How are your legs? Do they still trouble you?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"I walk more easily now that my feet are healed, so not so much."

[thewidewideworld]

"Would you like me to see to them next?" He gets up to fetch to oil from the shelf.

[athelstanthescribe]

"If you would?" He extricates himself from the covers in preparation.

[thewidewideworld]

"Always, my beloved." He kneels on the bed, warming the bottle of oil between his thighs before rubbing it onto his hands.

He works slowly, carefully, making sure to gently work out the knots in Athelstan's calves.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan groans quietly in relief as he does.

"I almost get used to it, over time."

[thewidewideworld]

"You should not have to. Such pains are preventable, with care. I can teach Ragnar to do this for you, when you are together again."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods against the pillow.

"There'll be no need at all to put up with it then."

[thewidewideworld]

"None at all." Sinric promises. "And you know you have my care and my hands whenever I'm near."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I do", he confirms. "And you're so very good at it."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and presses a playful kiss just above Athelstan's knee. His hands work steadily and nimbly, working out the knots in Athelstan's legs. He hums a soft tune, singing to himself as much as the Athelstan.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan starts to relax bit by bit as he works, listening to his song.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles, feeling Athelstan's pain and tension starting to ease. He gently guides Athelstan to move onto his stomach, so he can better relax the muscles at the backs of Athelstan's knees.

[athelstanthescribe]

He rolls over obediently. He knows the pain and tension will return, but every minute he can be without them is something worth having.

[thewidewideworld]

And Sinric is keen to give him every moment he can without it.