For Athelstan

[onceaviking]

His room is neat.
The laptop is switched on, the decanter in the low table has been refilled with wine, the bed is made.

He turns on the light as they enter and turns to look at Athelstan.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

It might not be true generally but here, in this moment, Athelstan has no trouble believing it. He's the one who's there, and he knows how Eric feels about the taste of his blood. And who doesn't want to be wanted and needed?

"I want you", he echoes in a near-whisper. "Eric... hard, fast, I want you."

What he's asking for without the vocabulary to express it, what he's been used to all his life in every other way and unconsciously wants from a sexual partner as well, is to be dominated.

[onceaviking]

And everything about Eric plays into that. His size, his strength, the way he overpowers and overwhelms.

He increases his pace and speed even as he lowers his head to whisper in Athelstan's ear, "You want me to take you. To fuck you."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", he says, voice rough with desire. "Yes. And drink."

[onceaviking]

And Eric bites down on him again, hungrily, as he tightens his grip on him.

Takes him.

[athelstanthescribe]

He cries out as the two sensations together overcome him, arching against Eric with all his strength.

[onceaviking]

It's like moving against a boulder. Unyielding.
Cool.
Firm.

Eric presses him down on the bed and reaches down to grab hold of his hip and tilt it.
There.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", he repeats, over and over, as Eric sinks into him as deep as he'll go. "Yes."

[onceaviking]

And Eric presses his bloodied mouth to Athelstan's neck and increases his pace, willing him to come. To let him taste it in his blood.

[athelstanthescribe]

It isn't much longer after that before Athelstan shouts out - Eric's name, this time, not Ragnar's, and his whole body is racked with the force of his orgasm.

[onceaviking]

The taste -

Eric swallows, once, twice, and then he bites his tongue and licks Athelstan's skin, tightening his hold on him at the same time.

They're vulnerable right after release. Humans. It's the right time to give the impression of gentleness. Care.

[athelstanthescribe]

Real or fake, it's a good enough impression.

Athelstan sags against him, having given all he can for one day.

[onceaviking]

Eric runs his lips along his jawline and kisses his eyes.
Still holding him tightly.

[athelstanthescribe]

He opens his eyes after a while, tiredly blinking up at Eric.

[onceaviking]

Eric's lips and chin are wet with blood. His hair is tousled.
He runs a hand through it, but it helps very little.

Then he touches Athelstan's cheek.
"You okay?"

[athelstanthescribe]

He's not sure how much of that blood is his, and how much is Eric's own from closing his wounds, and it doesn't seem to matter.

"Just... need to rest. I can go back to my room..."

[onceaviking]

"You can sleep here. I will wake you before dawn."
It surprises himself a little. The offer.

Still, Athelstan is harmless.
And he smells nice.

Especially now.

[athelstanthescribe]

It surprises Athelstan, too, but after a moment he nods.

"That would... probably be best."

[onceaviking]

Eric gets up from the bed and pads - naked - over to his desk.

"You can wash up if you like first," he says.
He'll wait a little.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan considers this, mustering the energy to roll onto his back.

"Later", he decides, not sure if he can move any further.

[onceaviking]

Eric nods and then he turns his attention to his laptop.

He's looking at vampire specific legal templates.
Last will kind of things.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan's head drops to the bed, and he's soon asleep.

[onceaviking]

Time passes.
The room is quiet apart from Eric tapping on the keys of his laptop once in a while.
Keyboards are not built for Viking fingers.

At one point he goes to the bathroom to wash up.

When dawn approaches he walks to the bed and touches Athelstan's shoulder.
"Wake up."

His fingers are cold again.

[athelstanthescribe]

He starts awake immediately, always a light sleeper.

"It's time to go?"

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.
"You have time to wash," he says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"All right." He swings his legs to the edge of the bed, moving stiffly but with more energy than before. "I do enjoy your shower."