Re: Dinner: Athelstan and Ragnar
"You have never wanted for company," Athelstan said quietly. Ragnar could not be blamed for it, he was -- it was easy to be drawn to him, and he would have to be an idiot to not realize how very attractive the other man was. And it did not surprise him that Ragnar had not been lonely in that manner, but it did surprise him a little about the children. He'd always wanted sons -- though Athelstan knew that he had loved his daughter as well.
"I'm surprised you didn't have more children. You always seemed to want them," he said above the sizzle, eyes glancing down at the pan.
"May I help? Is there anything you need me to do?" Though Ragnar seemed to have everything well in hand, there was something in him that said he needed to ask.
"If you enjoy it, that's all that matters. And now -- when you move on, you won't be alone," Athelstan said with a little smile. He would have the puppy, and -- and him.
With little else to do, he picked up both their glasses from the table, and held out Ragnar's when he returned to him. "I wanted to be one of you. I knew it would be easier on both of us, but --" he gave a little shake of his head, and smiled wryly. "I wasn't like you and I wasn't like me from before. I'm grateful for -- all you showed me, Ragnar. Please, do not doubt that. And if you want me to remain, I'm happy to."