Chapter 14: Devotion

He kept his eyes on them, following them every moment he could. They kept their distance from him every chance they got. Riding, standing, or walking close together, always behind him or in front. Just always away from him. They kept him at a distance even at night. They slept beside each other, not touching but close enough to touch.

They were excluding him from everything on purpose and it was forcing several emotions to the surface for him that he didn't want to deal with. Anger was a big one, at both of them for not listening to him when he tried to approach them. Betrayal lingered with the anger as well, feeling betrayed by them for their obvious abandonment. Regret for not thinking to talk to them about the whole marriage thing, for not explaining himself better, or at all, honestly. He was also confused by his feelings, he knew he was attracted to them both, there was no question about that. But he felt like his connection with them and his desire for them was stronger than just a physical attraction. And if that was the case and he was in fact falling in love with them, how could those feelings develop so strong and so fast? And could he in fact love two people at the same time? With his whole heart and soul? Did he?

But the biggest emotion that the two were bringing to the surface in him was loneliness. Even on the slave ship, he'd had Halig and Finan. He'd never felt so alone. And it had only been a couple of days! Days of traveling and horseback riding and hunting and strategizing and very little time to even think. He hardly had time to even try to talk to them.

Uhtred's eyes narrowed into a glare as he stared across the camp at them. Finan was standing innocently enough beside Sihtric but he was leaning closer, sharing hushed words. His puppy's face was red and he was smiling and Finan looked distinctly pleased with himself. And fucking Hel, Uhtred just wanted to know what his Irishman had said to elicit his boy's acute reaction. He wanted to know so bad, he felt his whole body ache for them. He didn't even care anymore that they had excluded him in whatever had happened before they'd left Wessex. Well… he cared a little bit. He wasn't angry, he just wished he'd been there to lend a hand or mouth or just watch. He'd waited so long and he'd behaved himself so well. Or at least as well as he could. At least he tried. He tried so hard. So very fucking hard. He'd never in his whole life tried so hard!

"Go."

Uhtred didn't take his eyes off them as his brother sank down beside him. He was sitting on the ground, next to the fire as someone he wasn't listening to leaned over a pot and cooked something. He wasn't even sure who the man was or what he was cooking but then again, he hadn't looked at him. His eyes remained across the camp, never straying for even a moment.

Ragnar leaned into his space and bumped his shoulder into Uhtred's. He held a small bow in his hands and a few arrows "Take them hunting for a bit. But make sure you come back with more than just a goofy smile on your face."

Uhtred breathed out and leaned back. "I thought you said to let them calm down."

"If you keep drooling over them, it won't be long before everyone notices."

Uhtred let out a laugh and tore his eyes away from his men to glance sideways at his brother "I don't care what anyone thinks."

Ragnar picked the bow and arrows off his lap and reached over to set them on Uhtred's lap. "Maybe not… but be careful."

Uhtred nodded his head as he gripped the bow and arrows. "I will." He stood up and headed across the camp. "Finan, Sihtric." He called as he closed the distance between them. The pair turned to look at him and their expressions shifted, regarding him in a stiff but polite fashion. He recoiled a bit from their gazes and swallowed. His steps faltered for a moment and he tried to hide it as he moved closer and raised the bow. "We're on hunting duty."

Finan nodded curtly. "Whatever you say, Lord."

Uhtred stepped around them and towards the line of trees. They silently fell in step behind him and he swore he could feel them glaring holes into his back. He bit his lip and dropped his gaze to the forest floor as he carefully picked his way through the growth. He paused for a moment and listened. He couldn't hear the noise of the camp any more. He led them deeper into the forest, continuing on in silence for a few more moments of weaving before Uhtred stopped.

"Alright." Finan said before the Lord could even turn. "Say whatever it is that you've brought us out here to say."

"Fin!" Sihtric hissed, crowding closer to the Irishman. He raised his eyebrows and gawked at him for a moment. "You said not to ask him."

"Because I was waiting for him to start." Finan replied, turning towards Sihtric, his attention solely on the boy and Uhtred's presence forgotten for the moment. "For him to get down on his knees and beg and grovel."

Sihtric's eyes widened. "Fin!"

Finan rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Oh come on, Sihtric! What else would he bring us out here for? He's hoping he'll call you a good boy and flash that intense stare with those blue eyes of his and say something lewd and we'll just forgive him and let him feel us up again."

"Finan!" Sihtric snapped his name again, louder that time. "Will you shut up and let him talk?"

Finan pressed closer, getting into the boy's face. "Will you promise you won't bend over for him just because he calls you a good boy?"

Sihtric's eyes widened again and his face flushed. "You were the one who just last night said you couldn't wait to get him in your lap again! Said you wanted to beg him, you'd even apologize to him!"

Finan eyes widened. "Okay, I didn't really mean I'd apologize to him. We didn't do shit to him! I just got a little caught up in the fantasy. He still needs to grovel."

Sihtric threw up his arms dramatically. "I never said he didn't!"

Finan laughed sharply and tilted his head. "I've seen the way you get all giggly and blushy whenever he looks at ya."

"I do the same around you!" Sihtric pointed out, wagging a finger at him. "And you get all growly and… weirdly protective and possessive anytime he looks at you or me!"

Uhtred turned around toward them the moment they started arguing. He watched them, his gaze switching from one to the other and back again. He blinked in surprise at the revelations and couldn't stop the smile spreading across his face as he listened to their words for a few moments. But he was also quickly getting tired of being ignored. "He is right here and he can hear both of you." He finally snapped, interrupting them and throwing up his arms dramatically. They both turned to gawk at him, as if they actually forgot he was there. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here or like I'm stupid or something."

Finan shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head. "You are kind of stupid."

Sihtric was quick to nod his head. "No disrespect, Lord." He said, lifting his hands.

Uhtred breathed out and nodded his head. "Yes, I deserve that. And I did bring you out here to talk. And I have tried to before now. But there's been no time! And Ragnar said to wait and let you calm down."

Sihtric's eyes widened. "Ragnar knows?"

"Calm down?" Finan repeated, anger back in his voice. "It's none of his fucking business! And telling us to calm down like we're overreacting or some bullshit!"

"I didn't say it!" Uhtred insisted, raising his hands. "Ragnar did! And you are overreacting!"

Sihtric moved forward as Finan clenched his jaw. The boy crowded in between them and placed a hand on each of their chests, holding them in place. He didn't really think either of them would actually fight the other. He knew deep down all the anger and other various emotions were due to how much they cared for one another. "You both are overreacting and being stupid! We all are!" He said loudly, keeping his voice level and strong, trying to keep himself from wavering. He turned his gaze on Uhtred and narrowed his eyes into a glare. "Lord, tell us what you brought us here to tell us. Now." Then he turned and looked at Finan. "Fin, you will keep your mouth shut and listen."

Finan smiled widely and leaned over to look around Sihtric at Uhtred. "I really like it when our boy's bossy."

Uhtred's whole face lit up and he nodded his head. "Oh yeah, he's a sexy fucker. That tone of voice and that look in his eyes makes me want to drop to my knees and worship every inch of him."

Finan's eyes darkened. "Boy's got plenty of inches to worship."

Uhtred tilted his head. "I have to admit I am jealous. You've got to give me all the details."

Between them, Sihtric bit his lip and tried hard to suppress the tremble that passed over his whole body at their words and stares. He breathed out a shaky breath and tangled his fingers into the leathers of each of their armor. He tightened his grip on both of them and pulled them each a step closer. "Both of you, on your knees." He said forcefully, glancing between them. "And keep your mouths shut until I tell you to open them."

Finan immediately dropped to the ground and Sihtric let him go. Uhtred's eyes followed Finan's movements and he tilted his head. His eyes darkened a few shades and his lips twisted into a flirty smile, enjoying seeing the man on his knees.

Sihtric turned his gaze on the smirking Lord and narrowed his eyes. "I said on your knees, whore." Uhtred raised his eyebrows and Sihtric's upper lip curled into a snarl. "Now!" He grabbed Uhtred's collar and pulled him forward. He stumbled and Sihtric grabbed him by the back of his neck and pushed him to the ground roughly.

Uhtred landed hard beside Finan. He tried to brace himself but he couldn't before his shoulder hit the ground. He grunted out but kept his mouth shut as he sat up slowly.

Sihtric's eyes widened. "Shit, Lord! I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

Uhtred looked up at him and nodded his head. "Very okay." He whispered as he shifted into a kneeling position beside Finan and pressed his leg against the other's. He was more than okay as he stared up at his puppy.

The Irishman leaned closer to him. "He said not to open our mouths!" He whispered. "That means no talking!"

Uhtred glanced sideways at him. "You just opened yours!"

Sihtric looked down between the two of them. He took a deep breath and exhaled it sharply. "Uhtred!" He snapped and narrowed his gaze on the man kneeling before him.

Uhtred visibly trembled and bit his lip as he met Sihtric's steady gaze. "Yes…" He started and stopped. "What do you want me to call you?"

Sihtric surged forward and grabbed a handful of Uhtred's hair. He tightened his grip and yanked the man's head back. "You will not refer to me as anything because you will not open your mouth to speak."


(Then all 3 fool around in the woods. But as this is FFN and they don't allow adult words, they've been edited out. Check me out on AO3 to read the full version!)