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

[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.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Thank you", Athelstan murmurs again.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric refreshes the oil on his hands and sings again, caressing Athelstan's skin soothingly between firm strokes to unknot him.

He doesn't stop at Athelstan's legs, working up Athelstan's back to ease the pains in his lower back.

[athelstanthescribe]

His whole back is a tangle of chronic tension, but gradually it melts away under Sinric's hands.

[thewidewideworld]

And Sinric is more than happy to dedicate himself to easing the pain, as much as he can. Adding the odd kiss here and there to remind Athelstan that he's loved.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

After a while, something bumps against the door, and then Ragnar comes back in, still beltless and barefoot, carrying a large and heavy tray.

"Hello, you two," he says, smiling as he sees them on the bed, Sinric pampering Athelstan and getting him to relax.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan has been soothed almost to sleep by this point, but he opens his eyes.

"...how much did you get?"

[thewidewideworld]

"A feast indeed." Sinric chuckles, torn between bouncing over to help Ragnar and finishing Athelstan's massage.

In the end he stays with Athelstan, smoothing his hand over Athelstan's shoulders. "Almost done, beloved." He works back down Athelstan's arms and fingers briskly.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar puts the tray on the table.

There is tea and bread, fruit and cream, cured meat and cheese, a bowl of olives, and a special loaf of flat white bread that contains olives as well.

Also, tomatoes. Also, honey cake with candied angelica roots.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Is there anything we should eat right now?" Athelstan asks sleepily.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric finishes up, wiping oil from Athelstan's hands. "There, all done. I can do more later." He kisses Athelstan's cheek and goes to wash up before breakfast.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"The tea would get cold, and the butter would get warm," Ragnar says. "And there is this olive bread I made with Rae's help that I hope you will like."

[athelstanthescribe]

He pushes himself up.

"Then let's eat."

[thewidewideworld]

Since returns, running a hand over Athelstan's shoulder, checking he's okay after the massage before kissing Ragnar's cheek.

"You spoil us." He smiles, pouring tea for them all out of habit.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We had olives the other day, after we talked about the Romans, and Athelstan liked them, so I wanted to spoil him with something with olives in."

[athelstanthescribe]

"So you cooked this for us, all yourself?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I love olives. They remind me of Constantinople and summer." He grins, flowing into a chair and folding his feet under him.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I made some of it myself, yes," Ragnar says. "But the olive bread, I made with Rae especially for you."

He takes a knife to cut off pieces for them, then picks up his cups and drinks some tea.

[athelstanthescribe]

So does Athelstan before it cools.

"Thank you."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and stretches out, resting the tips of his toes on the edge of Ragnar's chair. "Tastes wonderful. Thank you." He purrs, nibbling happily and adding some cheese and meat to make a sandwich.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar tries some of the olive bread, which is as nice as he hoped it would be.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan butters a piece for himself, and eats with evident approval.