Re: Dinner: Athelstan and Ragnar
That earned a sharp breath in -- around his family. "There is only Ronan here, and I don't think he'll mind if I explain that it's a nickname." And as Ragnar would be the only one using it, that was closer to the truth rather than further. "Murphy is gone, and --" Athelstan shook his head. Those that remained wouldn't follow him here. "He's the only one here."
But what could he say to being the only one that Ragnar took to bed? That he would not want for another lover? Athelstan had seen him through two wives but -- Ragnar could be loyal, so long as his curiosity didn't get the best of him. Or whatever it was that had driven him to Aslaug. Maybe it was the loss of Lagertha's child -- Athelstan didn't know and didn't ask then, nor would he ask now.
And for now, he believed Ragnar. There was no promise that he wouldn't change his mind later though, and he tried not to dwell on that. It might happen, that desire would follow love --
"Do not let it go so long that you resent it. Promise me, Ragnar." Sharing he could handle, so long as it did not bring Ragnar's hate with it.
Only then could he smile, his fingers spreading out as he kept his wrist there, a little flash of heating running through him at the -- at the nips. "I am missing his arm ring."