For Athelstan

[onceaviking]

Eric's room is cool and dark.

He switches on the bedside lamp. It's golden pool of light illuminates the bed and casts most other things into shadow.

Comments

[onceaviking]

"And if people put in an effort, there are - perks."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perks?" he asks curiously. "What kind of perks?"

[onceaviking]

Eric shifts a little on the bed.
"Mostly sex," Eric replies. Casually.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan laughs, and shifts forward a little.

"Should I take it all your staff are beautiful, then, so that those who make an effort must be?"

[onceaviking]

"Most of them are," Eric says, adjusting himself.

There's Ginger, of course.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Of course those working in the front part of the tavern would find it an advantage."

His eyes drop briefly to Eric's... adjustment... again.

[onceaviking]

"It's good for business," Eric agrees.
He notices the noticing.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan lifts a hand to his neck, the side where Eric bit him, considering.

[onceaviking]

Eric parts his lips a little. Revealing the top of his tongue.

[athelstanthescribe]

He knows Eric's doing it on purpose, but that doesn't make the temptation any easier to resist.

Eventually, decision made, he walks forward to the bed.

[onceaviking]

This time, the eyebrow is amusedly questioning.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan eyes him.

"You know perfectly well what you were doing. I'm taking you up on it."

[onceaviking]

"I'm relaxing," Eric tells him.

And making a space for himself that he feels comfortable in.

[athelstanthescribe]

...well, now he feels awkward.

"...I can go, then?"

[onceaviking]

"It was a joke, Athelstan," Eric says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh. All right."

He's not always good at getting jokes. He's still looking a bit unsure of himself.

[onceaviking]

Eric sighs.

"You really are quite gullible at times. You know that, right?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"...yes." A small rueful smile. "Remember where I grew up. I'm learning."

[onceaviking]

"What else have you learned, I wonder?"

[athelstanthescribe]

This is more familiar ground, or has become familiar since he first met Eric.

"Would you like me to show you?"

[onceaviking]

He gets a small inviting hand gesture in reply.

[athelstanthescribe]

He takes the final step forward, kneeling at the edge of the bed.

"Then come closer."

[onceaviking]

Eric sits up so he can move closer to where Athelstan is kneeling.

[athelstanthescribe]

He's only done this to Emcee, and only once, and he can't go as far with it as Emcee can. But he paid careful attention to Emcee's responses and reactions, and he knows what to do.

He dips his head and begins.

[onceaviking]

Eric leans back on his elbows, head held so he can enjoy the view.

Perhaps something can be said for the fact that although he is now something completely different he was once a Viking. And he still looks it, when naked.
And he seems to welcome the effort.