(no subject)

[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

[wanderingsin]

Sin offers him a hand, to steady him as he climbs. The chimney is only just strong enough to take both of them but it does, affording them a better view than before.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes, that's definitely the Arno!" Ragnar says, standing up beside Sinric.

[wanderingsin]

Sin's grip slips ever so slightly and he finds himself leaning against Ragnar, one hand planted on his chest. "Sorry!"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar holds on to him. "Let's not fall into the chimney together," he chuckles. "That boiler would eat us alive."

[wanderingsin]

"And thus claiming your blood as well as your sweat and tears." He gets down, dusting his hands lightly.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar follows. "Now, more food!" he declares. "What else is there?"

[wanderingsin]

"I'm not very good at deserts but I bought some very find balaclava?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Oh, yumm!" Ragnar declares, leaning in to loudly kiss Sinric's cheek. "You're wonderful that way!"

[wanderingsin]

The kiss stops Sin dead, his cheeks flushing warmly. "Why, thank you."

He never thought... I mean he might have fantasises but... Ragnar's straight, right?

He goes back to where their food is and knells down to unpack the balaclava, hiding his face behind his hair.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar follows. "Feed me the sweet stuff!" he mock-wheedles, grinning impishly.

[wanderingsin]

Sin blushes just a little brighter. He offers Ragnar a lady finger baklava. Offers to feed it to him.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar takes it with his lips and a beatific expression.

"Oh, yes!" he moans

[wanderingsin]

"Now I think you're just toying with me." Sin sighs a little breathlessly, his fingers sticky with honey.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Am I?"

Ragnar sticks out his tongue and licks Sin's fingers, almost suggestively.

"More, please!"

[wanderingsin]

Sin's breath catches and he takes a sharp step back, almost tripping over his own feet. He's bright red and his heart is racing.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar looks at him all innocently, smiles, and bats his eyes.

"Please?"

[wanderingsin]

"Ragnar, I..." He stutters, hugging himself. "I'm sorry. I have to go." He starts towards the door.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Oops," Ragnar says. "Fuck. I am an idiot. What did I do wrong?"

[wanderingsin]

Sin pauses on the top step, biting his lip. "No, it's not your fault, it's me. You're a wonderful friend and I know you're in a committed relationship but-" it all comes out in a babble. "I find you very attractive and I know you're straight but I'm not and it's been such a long time for me. It's been a very confusing week and the last thing I need to do is ruin this by taking something the wrong way-"

He inhales sharply, running out of breath.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Well, straight," Ragnar says. "That's relative. And I like to flirt. Does it offend you?"

Pause.

"Or turn you on too much?"

[wanderingsin]

Sin's rather helpless look implies the latter might be the problem.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar comes closed again, and bends to kiss Sin's cheek. "Don't worry about the bit with the straight and committed," he says. "Lagertha will probably hit me a dozen times with a big pillow round the head and kick my ass soundly, that's all. But do feel free to bat me off if you really don't want me flirting."

He bends down to smile into Sin's eyes.

[wanderingsin]

"That's the trouble." Sin breathes, "I do want you flirting with me."

He press up on tiptoes to brush the merest whisper of a kiss over Ragnar's lips, his dark eyes full of sadness. "But I'm not sure I'm ready to let anyone in. Not yet."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You can hold me at just the distance you want me," Ragnar says. "I don't mind. I like you at whatever distance is both fun and comfortable for you."

The kiss he returns is just as chaste and whisper-light.

[wanderingsin]

The gentle brush of Ragnar's lips, the rough warmth of his beard, the masculine scent of him combined to make Sin's knees weaken, For a moment he clings to Ragnar, fighting the deeper kiss he truly wants.

He wants this. Gods, he wants this. But the fear of giving away too much, of letting his hidden history be read on his skin is too frightening and he finds himself pulling away.