Re: Dinner: Athelstan and Ragnar
His namesake got a few pets to the head before Ragnar reeled him in. "It's fine, he's fine," and Athelstan nearly called him good boy as his hands stroked along his jaw. He'd be a big dog when he was finished growing, but he still had over a year of growing to do.
He stood to step inside, gaze lifting to his host -- Ragnar was still as handsome as he ever was and the details of the home fell away as he was tugged into the hug that he gladly returned, wile the puppy sniffed around his legs. "I wouldn't miss this." Though he had wondered if it was going to be soup and roasted meat -- something that had been common when they were in Kattegat. Something that he did miss on dark nights when he thought they should be sitting around the fire.
The house didn't smell like that now, and he smiled as Ragnar led him into the lounge. "No ale?" He teased. Ragnar had gotten him drunk on it once and questioned him thoroughly on Europe and England, until everything seemed to swim, including the fire that was before them. "Wine is fine, thank you," he said as he sat to the right of the head of the table, hands moving again to the puppy's head as he hovered close.
"He's very friendly." That was a good thing in a companion though, and one hand left the dog to take the glass of wine when Ragnar brought it back to the table. An eyebrow perked up. "Three courses --" How much food did Ragnar think he could eat? He laughed, head fucking down because -- oh, this was Ragnar trying to impress him. "You know you don't have to impress me, Ragnar. We could have roast squirrels on skewers with vegetable soup and I'd be happy."
Leaving the puppy alone for a moment, he sat back and took a sip of the white wine Ragnar had poured. "Have you given him a nickname yet?"