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[wanderingsin]

The smell of cooking emanates from Sin's apartment. And the sound of singing.

It was a good session all things considered. Talking to Athelstan really did help. And getting back into the right place in his head to model helped too. Something akin to meditation almost.

And Athelstan paid him. And paid him well for the session.

His scholarship covered his tuition and textbooks but nothing else. The languages tutoring three nights a week just covered his rent. But it was Athelstan's sessions that allowed him to eat and be human.

And tonight, he has enough to eat well and even share. His voice soars, high and sweet as he cooks.

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar knocks at the door, because of the smells and the sound and the promise.

[wanderingsin]

Sin cuts himself off, stopping the song abruptly. He's usually more careful about singing in public.

He heads over to the door and opens it up. "Ragnar, hello. Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes." The smell has a Middle Eastern tilt to it more than Mediterranean, rich and spicy.

"Would you mind grabbing that basket from under the bench? Just dump the stuff in it on the bed."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar does so. "What for?" he asks. "Rooftop picnic?"

[wanderingsin]

He gestures around his tiny room, laughing. "Well, there's not really room in here, is there? And its a beautiful clear night. Lets enjoy the stars."

He starts packing up boxes of food, most of it into salvaged Chinese containers. "There's a blanket at the end of the bed, grab that too."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"This looks hopeful," Ragnar says, grinning. "And smells so, too!"

[wanderingsin]

"I hope you like Middle Eastern, Greek fusion. Because that's the fanciest way I can describe the mish-mash of dishes I can cook." He grins playfully and starts packing the basket.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I prefer tasty food that smells good," Ragnar says. "And yours gives just that impression. What are we drinking?"

[wanderingsin]

"I think I have a bottle of cheap but decent red there. I have a couple of bottles of beer too but they're not cold."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Cheap but decent red is good," Ragnar says. "You get used to just that, living in Italy."

[wanderingsin]

He pulls two glasses down from an improved shelf Ragnar helped him out up. Okay, they don't match but Sin doesn't entertain that often that it matters.

"I think we're all set. Shall we go up?"

He hands Ragnar the basket and tucks the bottle under one arm.

Fortunately the roof access is easy enough to get to and Sin has a favourite spot, looking out across the river through a gap between two other buildings. Like a frame around the view.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar follows him up, clearly used to the way, including the uneven steps leading out to the roof itself. "I live this place a lot," he says, setting down the basket.

[wanderingsin]

"As do I." Sin sighs, spreading the blanket and resting his back against a vent. "Florence seems more the dream of what it should be, what it aspires to be from up here." He turns a warm smile on Ragnar. "Perhaps because we're high enough above the dog droppings and bickering."

He starts opening containers - lamb kofta and falafel, fresh hummus, pita bread, a green salad, and almond rice. "Help yourself."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar sits down, crosslegged, and opens the wine.

[wanderingsin]

Sin smiles and holds out the glasses. "I spoke to Mrs Dallas on my way up. I may have laid it on a bit thick but she said she'd try to get someone in to look at the boiler. If she actually does is out of my hands but we can but try."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Hope flows eternal," Ragnar says, as the wine flows deep red from the bottle.

[wanderingsin]

"Hope springs eternal." Sin toasts, folding a falafel into a piece of bread.

"How was the rest of your day? I hope you got some sleep after all that?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"A little," Ragnar says. "I had a job out in Fiesole where I had to turn up at noon. I just came back and had a shower, so if I fall asleep on you, it's not you, it's me."

[wanderingsin]

"I'll drape the blanket over you and let you sleep." Sin smiles and sips his wine. "I don't think I can carry you down the stairs."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar pops a falafel in his mouth. "Yummm," he says. "You could get a wheelbarrow, though."

[wanderingsin]

Sin bows graciously at the appreciation of his food. "Or I could find a really long stick and poke you awake."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'm not that dangerous," Ragnar says, grinning. "I doubt I'd bite even if you pulled my beard."

[wanderingsin]

"Mild as milk, I'm sure." Sin grins teasingly. "Where as I bite and scratch if someone upsets my precious sleep." He growls with all the terror inducement of a kitten.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Awwww," Ragnar says, and eats another falafel. "I am big and harmless, you are small and deadly! You can wake me any time without any problems."

[wanderingsin]

"Small and deadly. I like that. I should get that printed on a tee-shirt as a warning." He grins again, dipping his bread delicately in the hummus. "I'll remember that if I ever need to get you down off the roof."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You definitely should have that on a shirt," Ragnar agrees. "And yes, I'll be good and do as I am told."

He eats yet another falafel, as he seems to like them.