[Ragnar gave him a look of uncertainty, but quietly awaited an answer, his fingers idly trailing along Athelstan's spine, slowly moving over each rise and fall of his vertebrae.

A puzzled expression flickered very briefly across his face, brow furrowing and then relaxing again in an instant.]

I think, like most things priest, you have thought so much about this that you have made things far more complicated than they are. [His voice is quiet, a fond smile tugging at his lips.] I know I will have many sons. I have my children, I hope I provide for them, so what would it matter who else I chose to -[he stopped himself just short of saying 'have sex with'. He knew it was much more than that, but in the simplest terms that was what it was. Sex, love, loyalty.]- Who else I chose to enjoy my time with. [He smirked a little.]

Even if you were not ready, even if you were never ready. I cannot imagine I would not have wanted to know. Sometimes it just nice to know that... you are not alone in what you are feeling. [He almost sounded annoyed as he finished speaking, but then broke into a sheepish smile, rolling his eyes and chuckling softly at himself, shaking his head.] I hate talking about this.