Vikings. Ragnar - Athelstan
Continuation of S2 E9 “The Choice”, where Ragnar begs Athelstan to come back with him.
Pre-story: Aslaug approached Athelstan just before they left to raid England (E1-2, S2), demanding he did not return back with Ragnar, out of jealousy and shame if their “secret” relationship (since E7ish, S1) would be discovered. Athelstan told Ragnar just before parting ways in England, but still stayed behind.
Athelstan dismounted his horse, and looked straight into Ragnar’s eyes. “I can’t. I can’t go back to being your secret lover.”
“If this is because of Aslaug,” Ragnar said, “It’s none of her business. I was with you before her.”
“No.” Athelstan said. “She was right in wanting me to leave. If someone had found out… You would have be ridiculed, your reputation would be ruined. No one can respect a king that has a man, let alone a priest, as a lover.”
“I don’t care.” Ragnar said. “I never did. I’ve always told you.”
“But I did care. Having to sneak around the woods just for a kiss. Pretending it didn’t hurt every night you went to bed with your wife… It wasn’t any life for me. You were too busy to notice that I wasn’t happy.”
Ragnar was silent for a moment, then asked. “If we could be together. Really be together, would you?”
“You know the answer to that.”
Ragnar placed his hand on Athelstan’s face, leaned in, kissed him and didn’t let go. Athelstan’s heart was racing from shock, and for a moment he stood there with his hands down his side. Then he embraced Ragnar and kissed him back, and they stood like that for what seemed like forever until the shock had died off and reality struck Athelstan. He pushed away from Ragnar, heart in his throat. He could feel the stares of both Vikings and Englishmen alike.
Ragnar just stood there, unphased and calm. “Now everybody knows.”
Athelstan looked at him and realized how much he had missed him, and how much he loved him. He smiled a little, and Ragnar smiled back. Then he mounted his horse and rode away without a word. Both he and Ragnar knew they would meet again in a few days time, sailing across the sea together.
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