Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sum me I'm poor.
Today Athelstan was very excited. Why? Because Ragnar had promised him that they would be going to see Jonathan. It felt like ages since Athelstan had seen Jonathan and he wanted to know how he was doing. But before they could go and see him they had to visit the market again.
Athelstan was nervous bringing Alistair into the market. Today he had shifted and did not want to shift back. Athelstan wanted to carry him but Alistair was not having any of it. There was nothing Athelstan could do so he just prayed for the best.
Athelstan stuck close to Ragnar again but kept a closer eye on his son. He noticed that more people were staring at them and it unnerved him. Of course Alistair was oblivious, he was too busy running around and investigating everything.
"Don't go too far Alistair" Athelstan said. Alistair looked at him and whined but he obeyed.
The first stop they made was at a goose wranglers. Ragnar wanted to buy a goose to kill later for dinner but he was taking his sweet time picking one out. While Ragnar was talking to the shop owner Athelstan was watching Alistair trying to play with the goose.
It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, it's a popular saying and its true. Alistair was having fun until one of the geese pecked at his nose. He yelped loudly and cowered behind his father legs.
Athelstan bent down inspected his nose. There was no damage he was sure it didn't hurt him, Alistair was probably just shocked "Come here Alistair" he soothed. He kissed Alistair's nose and stroked his fur "You're not hurt are you?" he asked. Alistair just licked his face in response.
Athelstan was so busy tending to his son he didn't notice that most of the people in the market were staring at him, including Ragnar. However there was another watching him with interest Knut and no one saw him leave.
Ragnar decided to pick any goose, pay and leave "Athelstan were leaving" he said. Athelstan and Alistair followed him obediently. They made their way through town quickly until finally they were making their way to Jonathan's new home. Ragnar told Athelstan that Jonathan had been given a small hut to live in temporally. The village had a few huts similar to Jonathan's, they were for any beta's who lost their mates and were looking for new ones.
Finally they had reached Jonathan's hut. Jonathan was outside waiting for them. He smiled when he saw his pack and opened his arms for Alistair who was running towards him. He hugged and scent marked him. He saw Athelstan smiling at him widely, he smiled back and invited him for a hug as well.
"I've missed you both" Jonathan said
"We've missed you too. I've been wondering how you were fairing since we got here" Athelstan replied
"I have as well. Come in all we'll talk"
As they went inside Ragnar couldn't stop the burst of jealousy that bloomed in him. Why couldn't Athelstan look at him like that?
Jonathan sat Ragnar and Athelstan at the table but kept Alistair in his lap "How have you been doing Athelstan? This place is very different from England" Jonathan asked
"It is different but I've been doing well. I've got plenty of chores to keep me busy and Alistair is still a handful. But how have you been doing?"
"I have been well, it's nice to be back with my kin"
Athelstan looked at Jonathan nervously as he asked "What about finding a mate?"
"Well...I met a number of males that are interested in me and I've courted a few but..." Jonathan stopped his sentence short trying to find the right words to say.
"But what?" Athelstan asked feeling concerned
"But the wolves here can be more violent than the ones in England. I want a mate who will treat me as an equal and not some beta who will do everything they ask" Jonathan explained
"Have they hurt you?" Athelstan asked
"No, but I know they would. They think because I am from England I am a weak beta who will be their slave. But I have proved them wrong. If any thinks they can force me to mate with them I will hurt them"
"You've fought with them?"
"No, thankfully. All of them have been respectful when I have rejected them but some have declared to fight the one mate I pick so they could prove they were stronger and possible take me as their own"
Athelstan was shocked by this, Jonathan had told him about such things before but hearing it was happing to his friend now was shocking "Jonathan please be careful"
"Don't worry about me Athelstan I know what to do" he said
"I know you do, I just want you to choose a mate who will make you happy again, not one who will hurt you"
Jonathan held Athelstan's held to comfort him "I will choose wisely Athelstan, don't worry"
"I do worry"
Sensing the sadness in the air Alistair whined sadly.
"Why don't we talk about something else?" Athelstan suggested
Jonathan and Ragnar agreed.
They talked for hours about their new lives and how strange the culture was compared to England. After they talked they went outside and played. Jonathan shifted into his wolf form and was playing with Alistair as Ragnar and Athelstan sat close by.
"You are worried about him?" Ragnar asked
"Of course, he's my friend and I don't want to see him hurt"
"I think he will be fine. He has good judgement" Ragnar smiled and clapped an arm around Athelstan's shoulder.
Athelstan smiled back and relaxed. Soon enough he and Ragnar joined Alistair and Jonathan in their games. Ragnar had shifted into a dark blonde wolf and was surprisingly playing with Jonathan. Athelstan of course couldn't shift seeing how he was not a wolf but he had found his own way to play with wolves.
He got on his knees and held up his hands. Alistair got excited and started to yip and bounce around. Athelstan had learned to imitate some wolf like movements from observing Jonathan. He wrestled and rolled around like a wolf would. He also fussed and rubbed Alistair's belly as a sign of affection.
When the sun was almost down Alistair whined and curled up in Athelstan's lap. Athelstan knew his son was tired so he scooped him up in his arms and cuddled him.
"I thinks it's time to go home" Ragnar said
Athelstan agreed and goodbye to Jonathan and made a promise to come and see him again. They made their way back through the empty streets. The market stalls were closed and there was not many people around. Suddenly a loud whistle got their attention.
They both looked to their left to see Floki waving and shouting at them. Ragnar laughed at his friends actions and told Athelstan they should go and see what was up. When they reached Floki he was grinning like a mad man.
"Ragnar come join us for the party" he said
Ragnar was confused he never heard about any party "What party?"
"Asmund and Avilda are going to get married. He proposed to her she said yes and now we are celebrating their union. Come and feast with us"
Ragnar knew both Asmund and Avilda. He knew Asmund had been pinning over Avilda for years. He laughed and laughed "Well it's about time. Then I shall come and congratulate the happy couple. Athelstan are you coming to?"
"Oh, um no. I don't know them, I'd hate to impose and besides I have to put Alistair into bed"
Floki looked at the sleeping pup in Athelstan's arms and said "We could always do with a slave to serve us drinks. Bring him with us Ragnar"
Ragnar gave his friend a look that said 'Floki just don't' and told him "We'll see. But he does need to take the pup to bed"
Floki just shrugged his shoulders and left.
"Let's go Athelstan" Ragnar said
"Where?" Athelstan asked when he saw they were not going in the right direction.
"To the celebration"
"What about Alistair?" he needed to go to bed.
"It's a short cut" Ragnar winked
Athelstan wished he could slap Ragnar right now but with Alistair in his arms he just had to follow him. After a short walk they found the celebration. There were fires lit, people were singing, dancing eating and drinking to celebrate the happy couple. But most importantly a lot of them were in their wolf forms.
When Ragnar found his family he led Athelstan towards them and found a seat. Bjorn, Lagertha and Gyda were in their wolf forms as well. They greeted each other and Ragnar took a seat. He sat Athelstan down next to him and let his family greet him as well.
Bjorn rubbed against his arm and left. Gyda licked at him and tried to play with Alistair "I'm sorry Gyda he's too tired to play" Athelstan told her. She whined sadly but left him alone. Lagertha licked at his face and sniffed at Alistair. Athelstan was pretty sure she wanted to curl up with him. As the party continued Athelstan sat quietly and kept running his hand through Alistair's fur, until someone unexpected sat next to him.
"Hello human"
Athelstan jumped and saw a man sitting next to him.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked
"I think so. You're related to Earl Haraldson, correct?"
"Yes I am Knut" he said and looked at Alistair "It is strange to see a human so comfortable with wolves"
"Well I raised him I don't care if he's wolf"
Knut laughed slightly "I meant us. You seemed very comfortable around Ragnar's family when they were in their wolf form"
"They were just greeting me"
Knut looked like he was going to say something else but Ragnar interrupted him "Knut you need to leave" he growled
"I was invited" Knut replied
"Then we will leave. Athelstan let's get Alistair into bed" Ragnar said. Athelstan obeyed Ragnar and quickly got up leaving Knut behind.
When they went back to Ragnar's home Athelstan put Alistair to bed. He was then dragged into his room by a very angry Ragnar. Athelstan was pushed up against the wall and pinned by Ragnar.
"What were you doing?" he spat
"What?"
"With Knut! What were you doing?"
"N-Nothing. He sat next to me and started talking"
"Why were you talking to him?"
"He started it and I didn't know what else to do"
Ragnar's eyes flashed golden "Why didn't you leave?"
Athelstan began to tremble when he saw those eyes. They were the eyes of a predator "I-I had Alistair in my arms and I wasn't sure what to do. Ragnar please"
Ragnar calmed down when he heard Athelstan's plea. He relaxed and unpinned Athelstan from the wall "I'm sorry. I just don't want you talking to him from now on"
"Alright"
"He's bad news. Don't ever be alone with him"
"I understand. I'll try to keep away from him"
Ragnar sighed and hugged Athelstan. He could smell Knut on him slightly and almost growled.
Athelstan felt ashamed that he had upset Ragnar so he did something he never thought he would do. He kissed Ragnar neck as a sign of apology. He felt Ragnar stiffen and gasp.
Ragnar pulled Athelstan away from him and look at him in confusion "Why did you do that?"
"Jonathan told me that's how wolves apologise" Athelstan blushed "I am sorry. I'll try and be more careful next time"
Ragnar gently grabbed Athelstan's chin and made him look at him. He rubbed his thumb across Athelstan's lips and loved how soft they felt. He leaned in closer and kissed him. Athelstan tasted sweet, so sweet, nothing else could compare. When he stopped and looked into Athelstan's eyes and felt the guilt hit the bottom of his stomach. He Prayed to all the gods that Athelstan didn't hate him for this.
Athelstan couldn't say he was really shocked by Ragnar's actions he had seen the way Ragnar looked at him and touched him. But to have kissed him so openly well he was surprised.
"Ragnar..." Athelstan began but Ragnar interrupted him.
"I'm sorry Athelstan. I shouldn't have done that"
"It's alright, I'm not angry" and just to prove his point he quickly kissed him "Ragnar I know what you want to do to me. I maybe innocent to a lot of things but I have noticed how you watch me. And I am...I-Interested" he explained. He couldn't lie anymore he did like Ragnar a lot, he just had one problem.
Ragnar smiled and tried to kiss Athelstan again but Athelstan stopped him "What's wrong?"
"I am interested but I'm still shy about such things Ragnar. Maybe after some more time has passed then maybe we could..." Athelstan trailed off shyly.
Ragnar understood and he wouldn't push him "That's fine" he smiled and led him to his bed "We'll get some sleep"
"We?"
"I can sleep next to you, if you want. I think it might help you get use to the idea of being together" Ragnar suggested.
Athelstan thought about it. He had never been so close to anyone while he slept before, but it did sound nice. To be wrapped up in another arms, warm and safe "We'll just go to sleep, right?"
"Yeah, just sleep"
"Alright then"
When Athelstan was comfortable Ragnar lied behind him and wrapped an arm around him "Goodnight Athelstan"
"Goodnight" Athelstan felt relaxed next to Ragnar and soon he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.