Boat dreams: Athelstan/Ragnar
Ragnar knew he had to wake up, too. Of course he did. He had- "I have a puppy," he said with a smile. "I asked for him for Christmas, I wanted someone for company, who would always be with me. And I named him after you." He wasn't embarrassed by that admission. "I need to wake up to get back to my other Athelstan," he said.
Still, there was an ache in his chest and behind his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried, but in his dream seemed as appropriate a time as any. "I am. I am a scholar. And it makes me happy. I have- I have beautiful things. I am a lucky man."
A frown knitted Ragnar's brow. First at the news that Athelstan had not met his God. Second at the news that he was traveling to see his brother. Traveling now.
"You-" Ragnar started, his hands lifting to cup Athelstan's face, as much as he loved the closeness they had. "-I do not understand. You passed- you left me. You died." Ragnar swallowed. "You died. But...why are you traveling to...to your brother-" How could he have dreamt that up himself? Emotion was welling up inside him, more than he could contain, and he let out a shuddering breath. "I would like your brother, he is yours. I would like anything of yours," Ragnar whispered, feeling a tear run down his cheek.
He pulled Athelstan close again, tucking him back against the curve of his throat, holding him tighter.