[ Athelstan knew that. He never thought that Ragnar would have but there had remained the knowledge that when he was his slave, sex or killing him wouldn't have mattered to anyone else, only to Ragnar. He'd been grateful then for the man that Ragnar was and he still is.
His breath stilled, being held while the other sucked at his neck. It sent shocks of pleasure through him, a bite of pain that had a sensual feel that he couldn't quite explain. Later, when he saw it, the mark would give him pause but also make him smile.
There is little time to think of it now, Ragnar's anger was a dangerous thing to say the least and Athelstan hadn't meant to rile it. He groped for words but the accusation regarding Judith stung him. But he couldn't let it set like that. ]
Ragnar, wait, please.
[ He sat up and he felt cold without the press of him close to him and wanting. The way he had punched the wall had made Athelstan tense and made him very well aware of the mistakes he had made. His doubts and worries that are far more about himself than Ragnar should have been kept inside. ]
I am not suspicious of you. [ Athelstan took a deep breath and then stood, moving to close the distance and he took the tunic away from Ragnar before he could move to put it on. His other hand rested over Ragnar's heart and perhaps there is a part of him that is afraid but the larger part of him trusts that Ragnar could never harm him. If he could it would have happened years and years ago. ]
I'm still nothing but a humble monk. Lagertha, she's a strong shieldmaiden and... [ There's a rueful smile, he almost had mentioned Aslaug and that she was a princess and most certainly not of humble origin but he held his tongue. ] I don't think I know even now what I have done to matter so much but I have been grateful all these years. Even when I was in Wessex, your friendship remained a source of strength.
Judith, she was bored, trapped and that is why she desired me... you are neither and I have done nothing to be worthy of this... [ He struggles for the word... ] the affection and loyalty of yours.
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His breath stilled, being held while the other sucked at his neck. It sent shocks of pleasure through him, a bite of pain that had a sensual feel that he couldn't quite explain. Later, when he saw it, the mark would give him pause but also make him smile.
There is little time to think of it now, Ragnar's anger was a dangerous thing to say the least and Athelstan hadn't meant to rile it. He groped for words but the accusation regarding Judith stung him. But he couldn't let it set like that. ]
Ragnar, wait, please.
[ He sat up and he felt cold without the press of him close to him and wanting. The way he had punched the wall had made Athelstan tense and made him very well aware of the mistakes he had made. His doubts and worries that are far more about himself than Ragnar should have been kept inside. ]
I am not suspicious of you. [ Athelstan took a deep breath and then stood, moving to close the distance and he took the tunic away from Ragnar before he could move to put it on. His other hand rested over Ragnar's heart and perhaps there is a part of him that is afraid but the larger part of him trusts that Ragnar could never harm him. If he could it would have happened years and years ago. ]
I'm still nothing but a humble monk. Lagertha, she's a strong shieldmaiden and... [ There's a rueful smile, he almost had mentioned Aslaug and that she was a princess and most certainly not of humble origin but he held his tongue. ] I don't think I know even now what I have done to matter so much but I have been grateful all these years. Even when I was in Wessex, your friendship remained a source of strength.
Judith, she was bored, trapped and that is why she desired me... you are neither and I have done nothing to be worthy of this... [ He struggles for the word... ] the affection and loyalty of yours.