One month went by, rhythmed by class, parties and countless cups of coffee. Athelstan and Aslaug became close classmates and Aslaug often went to his studio flat to work. One day, she came with a friend of hers who was also living with her. Athelstan remembered she was nice. She didn't talk so much but she had a strong aura around her. Aslaug told him that she was fond of history and planning to write her own book. How nice would it be, he thought, to write a book. Athelstan admired those who could perform such an art. He was more into words. How they are built, how language evolved: he dreamt to be a linguistic expert.
He looked at the small room he called appartment. There were books everywhere: old, new, most of them were missing pages. Then, his sight went to his pile of notebook: mostly studies he did out of pleasure. He suddenly heard his neighbours talking to each other in a tongue he did not understand. Apparently, they were arguing about a "hijo de puta". The walls were too thin: he could hear his neighbor and her girlfriend have sex. And they did it every night. Usually, he just ignored it, but there was some nights where he couldn't just ignore the burning sensation of his lower stomach. So, he laid on his bed and masturbate. There was no picture in his head when he was doing it at first, but soon, the sounds of pleasure of his neighbours were joined by the picture of a young blond man. His eyes so blue, his hair so long, so soft and the face was followed by a sculptural body. The body of a god.
Of course, Athelstan knew to whom this body belonged: it was this Ragnar guy he met at the ERASMUS welcome party. Ever since he met him, he couldn't erase him from his mind. He was so fascinating. And hot. He didn't understand why this man had such an effect on his body as he was sure to be straight. He dated girls before, but never had he experienced such a burning desire for anyone. He blushed. Just thinking about him and Ragnar naked laying next to each other was enough to make his heart race and his cheeks turn red.
It was noon already and he didn't eat yet. He went to the fridge, which was not far: he just had to stretch his arm to reach it. He opened it with the stupid hope that some food would have miraculously appeared during the night.
"Obviously!" he said to himself holding a little laugh.
The fridge's tiny lamp lighted nothing but emptiness. There was only one or two yoghurt lost in the, yet, little fridge. Athelstan sighed, raised his eyes to the ceiling and opened his arms.
"The lord is testing me!"
Then, he stood up, smiling to himself. He looked around, looking for something to wear. It was cold outside so he decided to go for a pull over and a pair of jeans. Unfortunately, there was only the chrismas pull over his mom knitted him left. All of his other clothes -exept for his jeans- stunk because of a small accident he had with some cheese and his microwave. He sighed. At least he had something to cover his body, he thought, even if it had Rudolph the reindeer and a couple of cookies knitted on it. He grabbed his back pack and rushed to the closest supermarket.
When he arrived he tried not to be noticed by anyone. Which was hard because of the red nose of Rudolph. It was like he was walking around with a red dot as a target. He avoided every sight directed to him and walked head down, blushing to the point he thought he was gonna turn into a tomato. While he was doing so, he bumped into someone who grunted. He heard a few things escaping his bag. Athelstan immediately rushed to help the man to pick up his groceries
"I'm sorry! I.. I didn't see where I was going. I'm so sorry."
"Man, you really are blind. Athelstan." the man said with a deep and seductive voice.
Athelstan immediately raised his head. This man knowing his name was like an electric shock. He looked at the handsome man standing in front of him and blushed instantly. It was him. The guy he saw every night. His heart started racing. Ragnar stared at him and smiled. Athelstan suddenly realized what he was wearing and blushed a little more.
"You seem to have the gift of bumping into everybody don't you?"
His eyes were burning with a teasing desire.
"Yeah." Athelstan laughed. "I'm not very good at walking, apparently."
"Nor at dressing up." he laughed. "What's with the shirt?"
"It is a gift of my mom. I didn't have time to do my laundry these days."
Ragnar laughed. Athelstan noticed he looked at him with adoration and it gave him butterfly in the stomach.
"There is a lot of grocies in your bag." Athelstan noticed. "Will you eat all that alone?"
"No. I live with three other people, so I have to buy stuff for them too."
"Do they come from Denmark too ?"
"Most of them, yes. There is my brother, my ex girlfriend and my girlfriend."
"Are you... (polygamous)?"
Ragnar laughed.
"No. we are like family. Do you live alone?"
"Yes." Athelstan blushed again. "It is a shitty place, but at least I have a place to sleep."
"I would love to visit that place one day."
"One day." Athelstan laughed.
They went to pay for their groceries after this very awkward talk. Athelstan couldn't help but stare at Ragnar when he wasn't watching. Truly, he was gorgeous to the young english man's eyes. His simple body was enough to give him thoughts. Intimate thoughts. But every time Ragnar's blue eyes landed on him, he diverted his sight to the Danish man's amusement. He took any occasion to touch him and tease him, aware of the effect his anatomy had on him. Ragnar loved this game and made Athelstan aware of that. Each contact his skin had on his, Athelstan stepped away, blushing. It was like being electrocuted. Athelstan didn't quite know if he liked it or not. One thing was sure: He wouldn't resist very long to the blond haired man.
It was Sunday. A resting day. So it was all natural for Helga to enjoy it. Especially since it was sunny. She looked at Floki, still sleeping in her bed and smiled. She kissed his forehead tenderly and began to get out of bed silently, slowly, trying to not awoke Floki. Which didn't work.
"Helga?" he asked with a sleepy voice. "What are you doing?"
"Shhh. Go back to sleep Floki." she said while tenderly stroking his cheek. "I'll make coffee and toasts. I will take care of that so go back to sleep." she calmly said.
Floki grumbled and put the blankets back on his head. Helga smiled and went to the kitchen. She took some eggs, bacon and sausages from the fridge and began to cook. She start the coffee machine up and made herself some tea. She put a large spoonful of honey and delicately turned her spoon. Making tea in the morning had been for her a ritual since she was a child and dropped cereals for tea. She smiled at her childhood memories. The first gulp of tea was always the best. Especially on a cold day.
Once she was finished, she went back to her bedroom and still without waking Floki up, she dressed up for the day. She grabbed her painting tools and texted Judith. The light was ideal and she wanted to do a life drawing session with her. She put her phone back in the pocket of her dungarees and left the room with a last smile to her sleeping boyfriend.
She checked one last time her bag to check if she took everything she needed and then got out of the appartment. Once in the stairs, she received a text from Judith. She was in. Helga giggled.
Once in the bus to the place she and Judith would meet, she took her sketchbook an began to draw the people she saw, some outfits details, clouds, flowers, suns, and other cats. She joyfully colored it with her color pencils. She always used pastel colours. It relaxed her eyes. Her art was like herself: cute, gentle, nice and comfortable. All the while she was drawing, a small kid looked at what she drew. He couldn't help but smile when he saw the kittens. Helga noticed him glancing with insistence to her coloured pencils and she handed him a corner of her sketchbook and one of her pen. The boy smiled widely at this act of tenderness. He began to draw. Cats, dogs, animals for the most part and then imaginary creatures such as unicorns and elves. Of course it wasn't as elaborate as what Helga was able to do, but it was enough for her to recognize a true artist. She smiled to the boy's mother.
"What is his name?"
"William. He is eight." the mother said smiling gently.
"He is good."
"Yes." the mother said laughing. "He keeps painting on the walls and the furniture. It is almost impossible for him not to draw for a day."
"It is the mark of every great artists." Helga said smiling. "Can you sign it for me?" she asked the boy.
He nodded and complied with excitement. His broken handwriting was not worth of what he just did on her sketchbook. But Helga was glad she had a tiny piece of innocence and creation that was not her own kept somewhere safe.
"Thank you." she said to the child. "You are very good."
"You too." he shyly said.
"This is our station. Thank you so much miss." the woman said. "It has been a pleasure meeting you."
"The pleasure is shared." Helga said. "Have a wonderful day."
"Thank you. Same to you."
After a few more stations, Helga finally arrived at the meeting place. She saw Judith standing on a rock waving at her. Helga smiled to herself. She was so cute. She hurried her steps to rejoin her friend. Once at her height she hugged her.
"I am so happy you came!" she exclaimed.
"Of course I came. What kind of person would refuse a life drawing session with such a light?"
"Did you have breakfast already?"
"I ate on my way here. Do not worry."
Helga smiled.
"So, what do you want us to paint?" Judith asked.
"I think the sky would be a perfect test. I have new paint I want to try."
Judith sat on the rock and Helga made herself more easy on the ground. The spot was ideal. They were far enough of the city not to be bothered by cars and other noises. They could only hear seagulls cry, the sound of the wind on the cliffs and the sound of waves crashing on some rocks below. Helga inspired the air. It was delicious. She smelled grass, iodated atmoshere and natural fragrances. She felt connected with the nature around. It relaxed her. It had always relaxed her to be in the middle of nowhere, surrounded only by nature.
She took her tools and began to paint, a gigantic smile brightening her face. She mixed some yellow with some blue, added red and white, diluted, blended. Soon, she lost count of time, caught of by the colours on her paper, bewitched by their vibrances. She was as hypnotized by her work.
Suddenly, Judith tore her out of her trance. "Is it good? Do you think I should add more green?"
"Show me." Helga said taking her sketchbook. "Yes. I think so. But you should blend it with some blue, it will fit better to the rest of the painting."
"Okay, thank you." she said. Then she got back to work. After a few minutes of silence, she spoke again, this time not raising her head from her painting. "How is he, your boyfriend?"
"He is fine I guess. He comes from Iceland. He is a weird man from a weird family."
"Do they really believes in elves and trolls in Iceland?" Judith asked.
"Yes," Helga laughed. "Yes they do. And my boyfriend is no exceptions. He also believes in the old religion with all his heart. He has some old runes and still speaks in Odin's name. This religion is called Astaru. There are only a few people in Iceland who are part of it."
"Facinating. I guess there is a viking culture revival these days. I even heard there was going to be a TV show about it next autumn."
"I suppose so." Helga said still caught in her work.
"And you? Are you a Christian or an Astaru?"
"I am a Christian. Born and raised in Lutheranism church. My parents were really involved in the life of their parish. Though they never resented me for being with a pagan. They mostly find his beliefs fascinating and often ask him to tell them more. My parents are very understanding and curious of the world. They are wise." Helga said with affection.
"You really seem to love them." Judith said with a hint of envy.
"Yes, I do. I love them with all my heart. Don't you love your parents?"
Judith sighed. "It's... It's complicated." she said.
"Complicated how?"
"Well, I always felt my father disliked me. Or rather, I always felt he saw me as a tool or didn't consider me as my own person. To him, I belong to him."
"This sounds sexist as hell. What is your mother's opinion on that?" Helga said a hint of outrage in her voice.
"She doesn't care. She is too afraid of my father to say a thing. Their marriage was a marriage of convenience. They don't really love each other. I often feel like my mother is my father's slave. That is why my father wants me to marry a man of his choice. He wants me to marry Aethelwulf, my current boyfriend."
"What is his interest in that?"
"My father is the CEO of a small company and he wishes to build alliances and to enlarge his business. He wants to be richer than he already is and he thinks me marrying the son of one of the richest and most powerful man in the UK would grant him what he wish."
"And what is this man's opinion on this?"
"Oh he agree! Since we were kids Aethelwulf and I spent countless vacations together. Our fathers desperately wanted us to get to know each-other. Last summer, tired of this little game, they pushed us into one another's arms and since then we have been together and lived together like a married couple." Judith said with a sad voice.
"This is disgusting! Why didn't you run away?" Helga said.
"I tried. Believe me I tried. Me leaving for Dublin to study there was my escape, but my father and Ecbert, Aethelwulf's father, insisted he came with me. I can't escape them. Wherever I go they'll send him after me."
"What are Aethelwulf's thoughts about it?"
"I can feel he is uneasy about this. I know he loves me, but he is showing it to me in such a way I feel like I can't breathe. He watch my every steps, check all my clothes, my food. I don't feel free at all in this relationship." she said almost crying.
"Perhaps you could talk to him about that. Don't you think?"
"Perhaps. But I am so afraid he might become violent."
"Did he give you reasons to fear him?"
"Sometimes, yes. But he apologize right after that and he spends the rest of the hour apologizing and asking me if everything is okay."
"Which is not. If he apologize and then do this again, that means his apologies were not sincere enough. Why don't you leave him?" Helga asked harshly.
"I want to, but I don't know, I just don't feel brave enough." Judith said tears filling her eyes.
Helga dropped her brushes instantly. She rose to Judith's height and hugged her the tighter she could and pass onto her all the affection and the support she felt. She gently stroke her hair and kept hugging her until Judith stopped crying.
"This will be okay. With time, I am sure you will grow stronger. You must be strong on your own. I really hope you will one day escape your father for good. You deserve it Judith. You are so kind, so gentle. Just like your art."
"Thank you." Judith said wiping a tear off of her cheek. "It feels so nice to have a friend to confide into. And to paint with. I love your colours. They appears so natural."
"And I love how you blended your colours. It makes me think of some concept art for a Disney movie."
"Thank you. It means so much to me. Your art makes me think of the impressionism and some William Turner paintings."
"He is my favorite artist. I love his seascapes paintings. They are both terrifying and poetic."
"Contrast is everything."
"On that we agree." Helga said with a smile.
They kept painting until they bellies begged for some food. The sky was already high in the sky and they already had suffered many changes of weather which excited Helga. With such a changing weather, they could have experienced a lot of colour blending and the paintings they did in their sketchbooks were so different one could not have believed they did it in the same morning.
Once they finished some fish and chips bought in Dublin's marina, they took separate paths to go home. Helga, to Floki and his crazy inventions, and Judith, to Kwenthrith who would most likely dress her up for her instagram account and Gisla who would just be Gisla and study until she caught a headache. Judith smiled to herself. Her roomates too made her stay better. She loved them for that. She only wished she could be as at ease at telling them things as she was with Helga. Truly, having friends here was for her a blessing.
OOOOOOH BOY! This was such a difficult chapter for me to write. I had a writing block for a while for this fanfic and I struggled with the Athelnar part. I just hope I did them justice. From now on, I think I'll focus more on Rollo and Gisla. But I'll still write about the rest of the characters especially Kwenthrith, Aslaug and Lagertha. I have things planned, I know where I want to go, but I need to organize my chapters. You can also notice I changed the way I show dialogues. I just feel like this is easier that way for you and for me.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter ;) Comments and reviews are most welcome ^^ Sorry it took me so long.
