Chapter 9: Bridges
"Boys!" Her voice snapped loudly, cutting through the air and forcing them to stop and look at her. "I do not know what I have walked into and I do not want to."
Uhtred smiled obscenely, still perched on top of Sihtric with no intent of moving. He sat up straighter, shifting on top of the boy for the millionth time, it seemed. Sihtric bit his lip and grabbed his arm, trying to stop him but Uhtred's attention was on the intruder. "Oh I can give you details if you wish, Hild."
Sihtric clenched his jaw and dug his fingers into Uhtred's arms as the man grinded down against him again. "Lord!" His voice came out strangled and he breathed out. "Stop, please!" He hissed under his breath. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold off any longer if Uhtred continued. And he would be beyond mortified if he lost it in front of Hild.
Uhtred smiled as he looked down at Sihtric. He ran his fingers down the boy's sides, making him squirm even more. "Oh yes, boy. Scream my name."
Finan turned sharply and pushed Uhtred, as hard as he could. "He said stop!" Finan snapped angrily, practically growling. The Lord let out an indignant squeak as he toppled off of Sihtric and flailed about on the ground for a moment. The boy glanced at Finan, looking relieved, and sat up. He grabbed his shirt and armor and pressed them to his lap, covering himself as he scrambled back a bit, putting space between them.
"Damnit, Finan." Uhtred rolled over and sat up. He brushed himself off and let out a laugh. "I'm dirty again. Sihtric will have to wash me again. And we shall have to wash the boy as well."
"Stop!" Finan snapped again and glared at him.
"Uhtred!" Hild's voice rose again. "You will speak no further on this matter. It is not my business." She shook her head as she stepped closer. "But I would like to remind you all that two of you are rather malnourished and the other one knows that. If you continue to engage in such activities at this time, then I shall be forced to send a chaperone to keep an eye on you."
Uhtred narrowed his eyes at her and his mouth dropped open indignantly. "You will do no such thing!"
Hild crossed her arms and lifted her head. She looked down at them and pursed her lips. "Then you will behave like men." She said sternly.
Uhtred smiled and leaned back. "We are very much behaving like men."
"Uhtred!" Finan hissed under his breath and shook his head. He turned towards Hild and held up his hands. "My apologies, Lady. You will have no more trouble from us, I promise you. We are very tired and worn. We will require a great deal of rest and healing and only that for now."
Hild glanced at Finan and her expression softened. She smiled and nodded her head at him. "Thank you, Finan. At least one of you is capable of being civilized." She turned her gaze on Sihtric and frowned again. "I am disappointed in you the most, Sihtric. All this time we spent searching and you compromise the health of our Lord the first moment you get."
Sihtric's eyes widened and he shook his head. "I… I didn't mean…" The boy stammered.
Uhtred's mouth dropped open in complete shock at her tone of voice. His gaze turned on his boy for a moment and he didn't like the way Sihtric looked. He turned back to the nun. "Hild, wait a minute…" He started.
"I will listen to no more words from any of you." She threw the clothes on the ground, closest to Finan, and pointed an accusing finger at all of them in turn. "You will all dress and you will all remain that way. I will send one of the men to bring your supper and you will eat and behave."
Finan nodded his head quickly, his face serious. "We will, Lady." He said earnestly and softly.
Uhtred's mouth dropped open and he shook his head. "We will do whatever we…"
Finan glanced over his shoulder at the man and shook his head. "Uhtred, enough." He sighed out.
Uhtred huffed out and shook his head. His lips curled in a snarl and he looked like he wanted to continue arguing until he got his way. But he crossed his arms and looked away and said nothing more.
Hild nodded her head again and smiled at Finan. She breathed out and shook her head. "You may want to reconsider." She said, a laugh in her voice. "They are both handfuls."
Finan smiled, not missing a beat, and nodded his head. "I am up for the challenge, Lady. Thank you for the clothes and for the food."
"You are welcome." Then she turned and walked off.
Sihtric kept his head down as he quickly pulled his undershirt back on. He pushed his armor off his lap and pulled his knees up to his chest. He rested his chin against them and breathed out deeply. He looked completely miserable and defeated.
Uhtred crawled closer to Sihtric. "She should not have said that about you." He said softly, leaning even closer to the boy. He reached out and touched Sihtric's cheek. The boy breathed out and leaned into the touch and met Uhtred's eyes. Uhtred felt his breath catch in his throat at the boy's gaze and he couldn't help sucking his bottom lip between his teeth and biting at it. Then he quickly breathed out and rubbed his thumb across the boy's lovely cheekbone. "I am fine." He said softly, smiling. "We are fine, Sihtric." He tilted his head. "We are not as damaged as she thinks."
Finan breathed out loudly and nodded his head. "Yes, we are."
Uhtred glanced over his shoulder and glared at the man. "Shut up, Finan!" He hissed. "She should not have said that to him! It was cruel!"
Finan sighed out and shrugged his shoulders. "But she is not wrong." He insisted.
Uhtred's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. "She is very wrong!"
Finan rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Yes, her words for Sihtric were wrong. Attacking the boy like that was all your idea in the first place. He tried to stop you."
Uhtred stared at him blankly and tilted his head. "Don't act as if you weren't enjoying yourself. You certainly didn't try to stop me."
Finan drew his lips taut, trying hard not to smile. "But she was right about us."
"She is no such thing!" Uhtred insisted loudly and shook his head. "I am…"
"Uhtred!" Sihtric said his name loudly, using more force in his voice than he ever had in his Lord's presence. "If you say you are fine again, I will leave this instant. You are not fine and Hild is correct. I started this and I shouldn't have. I spent near a year searching with her and Ragnar, trying to track the slavers. We used a boat for some time and traveled the ocean but every turn we made just seemed to bring us farther from you. I spent so many nights, hoping and praying to Thor that I'd see you again…" He clutched at the tiny Thor's hammer around his neck and breathed out. "I did not know how much I needed you until you were gone. I do not regret my actions today but I will not engage further until your health isn't a concern."
Uhtred just stared. His face was twisted in a weird expression of awe and confusion, as he listened to the conviction in the boy's voice. His mouth dropped open but he had no words. He simply just stared at the boy.
Finan glanced between the two for a moment longer before settling on Uhtred. "He said your name." He said softly, despite himself. He shouldn't have been making jokes, he knew it. But he still said it.
Uhtred blinked and shook his head. "Yes." He glanced at Finan and nodded. "That is maybe the third time I have heard him call me by my name and the other two times were just today as well. I'm not sure how I feel about that." A slow smile spread across his face. "I'd much rather hear him calling me Lord. Or maybe moaning it."
Sihtric sighed loudly and stood up. He shook his head as he brushed the dirt from his arms. "Why is everything a joke to you?" He snapped, turning to look down at Uhtred. "Am I a joke as well?"
Uhtred frowned as he looked up at him. His mouth dropped open slowly, confusion on his face again. "Of course not." He answered, still shocked by the question. "You've never been a joke to me."
Sihtric glanced away and breathed out deeply. His whole body moved with the motion and he ran a hand over his face and down the back of his neck. "I have not slept fully since the day you were taken." He said softly, like admitting it was a kept secret.
Despite the situation, Uhtred let out a sharp laugh and shook his head. "It wasn't exactly fun for us either, Sihtric."
"I know…" The boy said softly and breathed out. He bit his lip and swallowed.
Uhtred shook his head. "You may think you do…"
"No." Sihtric interrupted. "I do know."
Finan frowned as he glanced between the two. His gaze fell on the boy and stayed, watching his stiff posture. Sihtric had hinted at his past but he hadn't really given them much. "What do you mean?" The Irishman asked slowly, his voice soft, as if speaking to a frightened animal.
Sihtric glanced over at him. For a moment, he seemed to consider talking further. He trusted Uhtred with his life and Finan was quickly becoming the same to him. He couldn't understand or explain the attachment he felt to both. And he thought maybe he wanted to tell them. But then he shook his head and bent down to retrieve the clothes Hild had left. He also retrieved the shears and held them up. "Hild also requested for you to be presentable." He said, holding them up and turning towards Uhtred.
Uhtred shook his head quickly and held up his hands. "You will not touch my hair with those."
Sihtric shrugged. "Shall I fetch Hild again or will you sit still and shut up?" Uhtred blinked at him for a moment and didn't answer. Then he glared, crossed his arms, and leaned forward, pouting. Sihtric threw half of the clothes at Uhtred before turning back to Finan. He nodded his head at him. "Up." He said softly.
Finan smiled and stood up. "Here." He grabbed the clothes from Sihtric and then dug out the hidden hair comb from his pocket. He held it out to Sihtric.
Uhtred lifted his gaze to Finan and his posture and expression melted. A smile spread across his face. "You still have it?" He asked in disbelief.
Finan nodded his head. "I do."
Uhtred shook his head slowly. "I can't believe you still have that."
Sihtric took the small and delicate looking comb and glanced back at Uhtred. He caught the look on his Lord's face and he was curious. "Why is it so important?" He asked softly, hoping the question didn't offend either of them.
"It's not really." Finan said, shrugging his shoulders as he slipped the shirt on over his head. "It was one of the items hauled on the ship. I snatched one and one night, we combed out each other's hair and I braided his." He turned and quickly finished changing.
Sihtric glanced down at the comb in his hand and smiled. "That sounds like it was nice." He said softly.
"Oh it was very nice." Uhtred said with a smile. "He felt me up right after."
Sihtric raised an eyebrow and glanced at Finan. "You did?"
Finan nodded as he sunk back down on the ground. He leaned back a bit, his hands on the ground behind him. "It was nice."
Sihtric smiled as he watched Finan and maybe he felt a little spike of jealousy. But it didn't turn his stomach as it had the other night when he noticed the man's intense stare at his Lord. Instead, he wished again he had been taken along with Uhtred, when his Lord was sold. He wondered if both of these men would have looked at him the same then as they were now, if he had been with them. Would they have touched him as they had each other? Sihtric quickly looked away as he felt once again flushed and he gracefully sat down in front of Finan. He breathed out and worried at his bottom lip for a moment.
Finan smiled again, watching the younger man. "I can tell you about it, if you'd like. At another time." He added quickly.
Sihtric lifted his eyes to Finan's and nodded. "I would." He answered softly. "Another time."
"I can tell you right now." Uhtred said loudly from behind them.
Finan leaned to the side, peering around the boy at Uhtred. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "No, Uhtred. You will say nothing more on the matter." Uhtred smiled and stuck the tip of his tongue out between his lips. The man nodded his head and said nothing more. Finan watched him for a moment before looking back at Sihtric.
The boy smiled, his face still a few shades darker, but he kept his eyes on Finan as he lifted the scissors to the man's face. The Irishman guided Sihtric as the boy trimmed his beard a little and then moved around him. Sihtric kneeled behind him as he delicately dragged the comb through the man's hair. Finan closed his eyes, breathed out a sigh, and leaned back against the boy's touch. When Sihtric finished, he set the comb down and picked up the scissors. He was quiet as he worked his fingers through the brunet locks and trimmed off the dead ends. Finan's breathing shallowed and he leaned back more heavily against Sihtric. The boy stilled his movements and quickly dropped the scissors to the ground. He moved his hands to Finan's shoulders and listened for a moment as the Irishman breathed deeply. He waited a moment longer until he was certain the older man was sleeping. He couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face.
"He asleep?"
Sihtric lifted his gaze to Uhtred and his eyes narrowed into a glare. "Shhh!" He hissed lowly and dropped his eyes back to the man practically sleeping in his lap. His lips curled into a smile again as he leaned back and scooted a few inches until the man's head was indeed in his lap. Sihtric lifted his hands to Finan's forehead and touched his fingers to the man's skin gently. Sihtric smiled again and breathed out. He dragged his fingers down along the man's jaw and to the back of his neck. Then he gently lifted Finan from his lap and scooted back, moving out from under him. He gently laid Finan's head down on the ground and the man breathed out deeply and rolled over. He watched a moment more and breathed out in relief. Even if it was only for a few minutes, Sihtric was glad the man could sleep. It sounded like he hadn't slept the last few nights and Sihtric wondered just how long it had been since Finan had gotten any real sleep.
Uhtred remained quiet as he watched, his head tilted. His gaze followed Sihtric's every movement as the boy turned and grabbed the scissors and comb again. Then he stood up and headed towards Uhtred. He tried to catch the boy's eyes but Sihtric avoided him as he picked up the shirt Uhtred hadn't touched and forced it over the man's head. Uhtred didn't struggle and let the boy haul him up to finish dressing him. Once he was finished, Sihtric pushed him back to the ground and sat down behind him. Uhtred breathed out as he felt Sihtric's fingers brush across his back as the boy grabbed for his braided hair.
Sihtric pulled the strip of cloth tied to the end off and started unweaving the frayed locks. He ran the comb through the too long hair several times before he picked up the scissors. He made quick work of trimming the man's hair. Uhtred stayed silent the whole time and didn't put up a fight. When the boy finished, he moved around to Uhtred's front and set the comb down delicately. Then he picked the scissors back up and leaned closer to start on his Lord's beard.
"Sihtric… I'm sorry." Uhtred said softly after a moment, finally breaking the silence. He still hadn't managed to catch the boy's gaze and that fact was driving him crazy. He longed to look into those eyes if even for just a moment. He wasn't very fond of the boy's whole solemn demeanor and he would give anything in that moment to see the boy smile. "If anything I have said or done today has offended or angered you… I take it back." He said softly. "It was never my intent. You have been my most loyal… friend..." The word sounded weird on his lips. It wasn't what he meant, because the boy was so much more than just a friend to him, but it was what he settled on. Everything else tasted like ash in his mouth.
Sihtric didn't look him in the eyes and instead kept his gaze on his work as he trimmed away Uhtred's overgrown beard. "You haven't." He said after a moment, drawing his lips taut again. "But a lot has happened in the last couple days. A lot has changed. I feel as if my world has shifted again, as it did the day you told Clapa to leave me alive." His lips curled a bit, just a tiny little smile.
Uhtred breathed out and lifted his hands. He longed to wrap them around Sihtric, to hold the boy tight to him for a moment. Instead, he opted to touch the boy's knees, attempting to be more comforting than anything else just yet. "I thank the Gods I did."
Sihtric's eyes flitted to Uhtred's for a moment and his smile widened. "I am fine, Lord. Do not worry about me. I just… require some time. It has been a lot."
Uhtred nodded his head and stopped when Sihtric grabbed his chin, forcing him to keep his head still. "It has been." He continued, his voice low. "I just fear you will come to regret and change your mind."
Sihtric's lips curled again and Uhtred would swear the boy's eyes sparkled like the stars in the clear night sky when he looked at him. "Never, Lord."
Uhtred bit his lip to stop the moan rising in his throat at the boy's look and words and tone of voice. He sucked in a breath and leaned forward. He touched his forehead to Sihtric's and closed his eyes. The boy couldn't help the smile that spread across his whole face as he leaned against his Lord as well. All too soon, Uhtred pulled away, folded his hands into his own lap, and Sihtric continued.
As promised, Hild had sent a man Uhtred didn't recognize with a pot of stew and bowls. It smelled gloriously and Uhtred thanked the man and told him to thank Hild for him as well. Sihtric had remained just as solemn as he doled out the food as he had been when he helped them to dress and trim their hair. Uhtred still didn't like it but he understood the boy had a lot on his mind and didn't press him.
Finan yawned widely as the smell of food woke him barely a moment later. He sat up slowly and rubbed at his face. He yawned again and shook his head and couldn't believe he had fallen asleep. He knew it couldn't have been for very long but he actually felt a bit better.
Uhtred smiled around the mouthful he was chewing as he looked over at the still half asleep man. He swallowed and wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand. "Oh good. We haven't killed you." He said, laughter in his voice. Sihtric ignored Uhtred as he held a bowl out to Finan.
Finan yawned again and rubbed at his eyes as he accepted the bowl. "Thank you." He said softly. Sihtric nodded, a smile lacing his features for a moment before he sat down between and began eating. They ate in silence and when they finished, Sihtric attempted to get them both to eat more but they declined.
Night fell soon after that. Sihtric had cleared away a patch of grass and got a fire going. Then he stole a few furs from the camp, avoiding Hild as best he could, and returned. He laid the furs down as close to the fire as he could without the risk of catching them on fire and stepped back. "You two sleep and I'll keep watch." He said softly and started to turn.
Uhtred frowned and shook his head. "No you won't." He said solidly. "You will sleep here with us. We are close enough to camp, if something happens, we will hear." The boy opened his mouth to argue more but Uhtred shook his head again, interrupting him. "Now, boy." Sihtric dropped his gaze and nodded his head as he stepped closer. Uhtred smiled, watching him. "Good boy."
Sihtric's steps faltered and he visibly trembled for a moment. He breathed in sharply and swallowed before exhaling. His face flushed a lovely shade of red, as it had been doing a million times already over the last day. Uhtred held his hand out towards him and Sihtric laced their fingers together without any further hesitation. Uhtred pulled him closer and Sihtric's blush deepened.
Finan stepped closer and bumped into Uhtred's back. "Sleep." The man said, his voice deep and rough, a hint of a threat and a growl behind the word.
Uhtred let out a breathy chuckle and nodded his head. "Yes, Fin. Just sleep." He kept his hold on the boy as he turned around slightly, enough to smile at the glowering Irishman behind him. Then he leaned towards him and pressed a quick and chaste kiss to his lips. Finan pressed back against him but he still eyed him for a moment longer. Uhtred laughed again as he turned back to Sihtric. He lifted the boy's hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the boy's knuckles.
Sihtric pulled his hand away and surged forward, pressing a very quick kiss to Uhtred's lips before leaning around him to grab at Finan. The Irishman chuckled against him and kissed him back. Sihtric leaned against both of them for a moment, dipping his chin against Finan's shoulder and threading his fingers into Uhtred's once again. He breathed out and closed his eyes and he felt oddly safe and happy and a million other emotions. They all swarmed around in his mind and left him feeling dizzy for a moment.
Finan stifled a yawn and breathed out. He hated spoiling the moment. It had been so long since he really had a moment of peace and respite. It had been a long time for Uhtred, as well. And he suspected the same for Sihtric, if the boy ever even had a moment. He touched his fingers to the boy's cheek and dipped his head forward to press a featherlight kiss to his forehead. "Lay down." He said softly, speaking to them both.
Sihtric nodded his head as he pulled away. He kept his fingers intertwined with Uhtred's and the man moved with him as they laid down. Uhtred laid in the middle and pulled Sihtric close against him. Finan laid down on Uhtred's other side and wrapped an arm around them both. All three were asleep in moments.
