Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. please don't sue me I'm poor.
'Why? Why was he here?' Athelstan thought as he stood in front of Valhalla Magazine Studios. Why couldn't he have just stayed in bed like he wanted to?
When he woke up that morning the first this he saw was the card given to him by that model. He grimaced. He didn't want to go but it didn't look like he had much of a choice. The model, Ragnar was his name looked serious when he said he would tell his boss about the incident.
He put on his glasses and went to the bathroom. He ran himself a hot bath and put in some relaxing bath salts. He relaxed when he got in and wondered what Ragnar had seen in him. He wondered if it was some sort of joke and contemplated on not going. But he couldn't risk losing his job.
After he dried off he put on what he thought were his best clothes. Simple black trousers with a belt and a plain white shirt. It was too hot for a jacket so he left it. When he left his home he made sure to grab the card he was given and the directions he had printed out. All the way to the studio he thought about turning back but for some reason he kept walking forward.
And now here he was standing in front of what could possibly be a big mistake. He didn't know how many times he had put his hand on the door handle only to pull it away again. He sighed maybe this was bad idea.
Meanwhile inside the studio. Ragnar was pacing back and forth wondering where Athelstan was. He was ten minutes late.
"So where's this model of yours brother" Rollo asked
"I don't know, maybe he got lost or something" Ragnar said. Ragnar waited five more minutes before grabbing his keys and going outside. He was going to get in his car, find Athelstan and drag him to the studio. He stepped out of the building to see Athelstan walking away from the door "Athelstan" he shouted
When Athelstan heard someone call his name he turned around to see Ragnar standing at the front door. Now he couldn't escape.
Ragnar went up to Athelstan, grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the building. He stopped in front of the office door and faced Athelstan "Are you ready?" he asked
"No"
"Alright then" Ragnar opened the door and urged Athelstan inside.
Athelstan felt his face heat up when everyone looked at him, he was sure he looked like a tomato.
Erik was the first to move. He walked up to the smaller man and asked "So this is the model?"
Athelstan whimpered slightly, the man in front of him was very intimidating.
"Well you were right when you said he was the opposite of us" Erik said
Ragnar slung an arm around Athelstan shoulder, smirked and said "Told you he was perfect. Come Athelstan let's talk business" he sat Athelstan at the table and got everyone else to sit down with them.
Athelstan wanted to run out the room but his legs wouldn't move.
"So why do you want to become a model?" Rollo asked
"I-I" Athelstan was to nervous to even speak to these people
"He didn't exactly say he wanted to be a model and he didn't come here voluntarily" Ragnar said
"The fuck does that mean?" Floki asked
"I threatened to get him fired if he didn't come" Ragnar said smugly
His friends face palmed at Ragnar's forceful method.
Erik turned to Athelstan and asked "Listen lad do you have any interest in being a model?"
"No. I just didn't want to lose my job" Athelstan replied
Then Erik turned to Ragnar and said "Ragnar the kid has the looks but he's not interested in being a model. You can't force him"
"Looks like he faint if you pointed a camera at him" Floki joked
A few of them laughed and Athelstan ducked his head away.
"Oh come on Athelstan don't you want to give it a try?" Ragnar said. When Athelstan shook his head Ragnar grabbed his hands and decided to tell him the truth "Please Athelstan were desperate. If we don't find a new model then the magazine might go bust and we'll lose are jobs"
Athelstan was surprised by Ragnar sudden confession he seemed so confident before "I don't understand, the magazine is failing?" he said confused
"Not yet it's not, but it might do. Unless we do something about it soon" Leif said
"And how am I suppose to help?" Athelstan asked
"Well it doesn't have to be you necessarily. You see Ragnar came up with the idea that the magazine was failing because we were boring and came up with the idea that if we hired someone new and different to pose with us sales might start to pick up again" Arne explained
"That makes sense, but why me?" Athelstan asked
"Because you're different. You're small and cute compared to us, I think people would like it" Ragnar said
"But I don't have the confidence to do anything like this and I don't think I come out well in pictures" Athelstan said
Ragnar couldn't let Athelstan go. While he was still holding Athelstan's hands he made one final plea "Please pose with us Athelstan, we'll pay you for your trouble"
Athelstan was going to say no but the way Ragnar was looking at him made him feel guilty "Ragnar you seem like a highly confident person but right now you look like a kicked puppy. If it means that much to you then...I'll do it"
Ragnar's face lit up in a big grin "Oh Athelstan you star!" he quickly pulled Athelstan into his lap and hugged him
Athelstan was taken by surprise "W-Wait a minute" he protested
"Right then let's begin the shoot" Torstein said excited
"Wha-?" Athelstan said. After that everything moved quickly. Ragnar carried him to the studio where he saw various lights, equipment, clothes and backdrops. It was very interesting to look at. Then he suddenly remembered he was still being carried by Ragnar "Um, I can walk by myself" he said
"Are you sure? You weigh nothing you know" Ragnar laughed
"Please put me down"
Ragnar put Athelstan and said "I didn't mind"
While Athelstan had Ragnar's attention he needed to make something clear "Ragnar?"
"Yes mouse?"
'Mouse?' "I know I agreed to do this but...you and your friends need to understand that I've never done this before. I just wanted to ask that everyone be patient with me"
Ragnar smiled at him softly and brushed a hand through Athelstan's curls "Don't worry, it'll be fine. We were all new once so we know how you feel"
Ragnar's smile was sincere in Athelstan's eyes and he believed he would be fine.
"Ragnar" a female voice said
"Ah, Helga there you are" Ragnar said. He pointed to Athelstan and said "This is the one we've been looking for. Names Athelstan. What do you make of him?"
She walked up to Athelstan and started to prod at him.
Athelstan was a bit taken back by her face being so close to his and the way she was touching his face was making him nervous.
"Don't worry Athelstan she's the makeup artist, a professional. Just let her do her job" Ragnar said laughing slightly at how nervous she was making him "Well what do you think Helga?"
She rubbed Athelstan's cheeks and said "Well he's got good skin. Smooth and flawless. He won't need much make up" she ran her hand through his hair and said "Very silky and bouncy" she took off his glasses and looked at his eyes "His eyes are a perfect green" she put the glasses back on and grabbed his hands "His hands are so dainty. More feminine than mine and so smooth. No calluses or scars" she pulled out a measuring tape and wrapped it around his waist. She hummed in a disapproving manor "He's too thin for my liking. Don't you eat at all?" she asked
'Not often enough' Athelstan thought
She put her measuring tape away and turned to Ragnar "He's perfect. You did a good job" she said. She grabbed Athelstan's hand dragged him into the makeup studio. She sat him in a chair and grabbed her tools "So why do you want to become a model?" she asked
"I-I didn't" Athelstan replied
Helga looked at him confused "Then why are you here?"
"Ragnar was going to get me fired if I didn't come" he replied
Helga rolled her eyes and laughed "That sounds like Ragnar alright"
"He does this often?" Athelstan asked
"Yes he's very tricky. He must have seen something in you, something special" she said
"Like what?" he asked
"We'll see" she replied with a shrug
Meanwhile outside the other were getting ready themselves.
"Are you sure about him brother?" Rollo asked
"Very" Ragnar replied
"He doesn't want to be here" Leif said
"I know but I couldn't let him get away. He's just shy, which is exactly what we were looking for" Ragnar said confidently
While they were getting ready Torstein who was in charge of what kind of photo's they would be taking explained to everyone what he had planned. He had set up a few sports, leather jacket, casual tough and shirtless shots.
"Ragnar your new star is ready" Helga said and brought out Athelstan
Helga was right when she said Athelstan didn't need much work. She had brushed his hair but kept his curls, she had changed his clothes so he was wearing blue jeans, a white shirt and a blue jacket.
"What about those glasses?" Floki said
"I think they add to his charm. After all none of you wear glasses" Helga said
"Agreed" said Ragnar "Well let's begin"
Three hours later and they were all disheartened the photo shoot was an absolute disaster. Ragnar sent Athelstan back into the changing rooms to change out of his clothes. How could his plan have gone so badly? Ragnar wondered.
When Ragnar realised that Athelstan was taking too long to get changed he went into the changing room. There he found Athelstan hunched in a chair crying "Athelstan?"
Athelstan looked at him and tried to dry his eyes "I'm so sorry" he said
"About what?" Ragnar asked
"Ruining your shoot. You put so much effort into it" Athelstan replied putting his glasses back on.
"Don't worry about. It's not your fault, I shouldn't have dragged you here. I'm the one who should be sorry" Ragnar sighed. He sat next to Athelstan and slung an arm over his shoulder "You did your best but you were right when you said you were too shy for this. I should have listened"
"Ragnar I need to asked you something. What made you make such a dramatic change?" Athelstan asked
"Because the magazine isn't that popular anymore and I stupidly thought that maybe if we did something dramatically different it would make it popular again" Ragnar explained heavyhearted
Athelstan felt sorry for Ragnar and the others they obviously loved their jobs and they tried so hard to keep working but maybe there was another way "You know Ragnar your plan was good maybe you just did it the wrong way" he said
"The wrong way? What do you mean?"
"Well, what if you didn't just change by adding someone different what if you changed the whole theme as well?" Athelstan suggested
"Change the theme, how?"
"Well, why not show people your softer sides instead of just your tough sides. For example have a more relaxed theme or a family orientated theme" Athelstan said
Ragnar thought about what Athelstan said and liked the idea. He remembered how he said he and his friends had not changed so maybe changing themselves would help. But he would need help "Athelstan you are a genius" he said and hugged him tighter "We'll do this calmer theme of yours and make a new image for ourselves. What else cold we do?"
"You want me to help you? I don't know I..." Athelstan tried to protest but Ragnar was not listening
"Just tell me what else could be considered calm" Ragnar asked
"Um, well, I think that maybe something that says homely, like cooking"
Ragnar's eyes brightened and he said "You in an apron baking a cake and you get covered in cream. It would look tasty and sexy"
"Sexy!? That not what I meant" Athelstan protested but it looked like Ragnar was not listening
"Yes I have more ideas. Get ready for the next shoot Athelstan, I'll go tell the others" Ragnar said excitedly and ran out of the room.
'What have I done?' Athelstan thought. He should have left when he had the chance.
Ragnar explained the ideas he had and the others were a bit sceptical but when he mentioned Haraldson winning they decided to give it a go.
Helga made some wardrobe changes and prepared some more relaxed clothes, to match the new themes. Once everyone was changed Ragnar appeared with Athelstan who was wearing an apron. The apron was pink with white ruffles and a large pink bow. Athelstan flushed a bright pink that could rival the apron.
"I think it's still missing something" Helga said as she tapped her chin "Oh I know" she rummaged through a box of accessories and pulled out a pink ruffled headband. She put it on his head and smiled "There perfect"
"Perfect? Why I'm I wearing this? These clothes are for women" Athelstan complained
"Because you look cute" Ragnar said "And besides it won't fit anyone else" he laughed and slung an arm around Athelstan's shoulder "Right let's get started"
After a little preparation everyone was ready for the first photo.
"What should I do?" Athelstan asked
"Here hold this bowl of white cream" Ragnar said "And this whisk" he handed Athelstan the bowl and whisk before picking up a brush. He dipped it in the bowl and covered it in cream. He went to put it on Athelstan's face but Athelstan stopped him.
"What are you doing?" Athelstan asked
"Putting cream on your face to complete your look. Now hold still" Ragnar replied on put dollops of cream and Athelstan's nose, cheeks and forehead. Ragnar smirked when he had finished, he knew what the cream looked like to anyone with a dirty mind "Right now, put some cream on the whisk and lick it off" Ragnar said
"Uh! Why?" Athelstan asked
"Because it will look sexy" Ragnar winked
"I-I'm not s-sexy. I don't know how to be" Athelstan stuttered
"Alright, I'll show you" Ragnar said. He stood behind Athelstan held him close. He held Athelstan held that was holding the bowl and held onto Athelstan's other wrist. He leaned in close and whispered in his ear "Now just relax and calm your breathing. I want you to close your eyes and listen to me"
Athelstan did as Ragnar said and focused solely on him.
"Good. Now I want you to imagine you're at home and you're baking using this cream. Imagine you've finished it and you're going to lick the whisk clean" Ragnar said and slowly helped Athelstan move the whisk towards his mouth "Now how would you lick it?" He asked
Athelstan thought about it and slowly opened his mouth. He stuck out his tongue and tasted the cream on it. He whimpered slightly when it began to move up and down. He felt the cream drip down his mouth and chin. A sudden sound snapped him out of his daze and he opened his eyes.
"Did you get it?" Ragnar asked
"Got it" Rollo replied
Athelstan looked to see Rollo at the camera smiling "Did you just take a photo?" he asked
"Oh I got more than just a photo" he smirked
"Right on to the next one" Ragnar said happily, leaving Athelstan a little bit dumbfounded
Athelstan cleaned up the cream and got into his next costume. It was a light blue dressing gown, just a dressing gown. He was wearing nothing but his underwear underneath but no one could see anything thank goodness. When he asked why Ragnar shrugged and said it would look more authentic. This tome the photo shot was a leisurely look. Athelstan and a few other's sat in a replica of a living room while they read books and pretended to be asleep on the sofa.
Photo after photo was taken and every time Athelstan got nervous Ragnar was there to help him. By the end of the day everyone was happy with the results and packed up.
Athelstan was about to leave the studio when Ragnar stopped him. He turned around and Ragnar handed him an envelope "What's this?" he asked
"Your payment for today" Ragnar replied
"But the magazine hasn't been published are you sure I can take this?" Athelstan asked
"It's fine. You've worked hard today, you've really helped us" Ragnar said honestly
"Thank you, I'm glad I could help" Athelstan said
"So what did you think, working with us I mean?" Ragnar asked
"It was very interesting and at times very...intimate. Is it always like this?" Athelstan asked
"No not always. It's never the same. That's why it's so fun" Ragnar replied "Come on I'll give you a lift home" he offered
"Are you sure? I can walk" Athelstan said
"Nonsense it's fine" Ragnar said and led Athelstan to his car. Ragnar drove a large, black car it was very fancy but also very practical. Ragnar opened the back door and told him to get in. He went around the other side and got in next to Athelstan.
"Who's driving?" Athelstan asked
"My driver. What's your address?" he asked
Athelstan gave him his address and the driver started the car. After a moment of silence Athelstan asked "Do you think the magazine will do well?"
"Oh god yeah don't worry" Ragnar replied confidently
"But I do worry. I mean if this does not go well I don't think I could leave my apartment again"
"Don't worry, if that happens Helga will change how you look and you won't be credited in this magazine. No one will know it's you"
Athelstan sighed unsure if he believed him but he went with it anyway. When the stopped in front of his apartment he thank Ragnar for the lift and waved goodbye. He went into his apartment and flopped down onto his bed. He was tired but sleep did not come easily.
The next morning Athelstan remembered about the payment Ragnar had give him. He pulled out the wad of cash and counted £2,000. Athelstan was stunned, what was he going to do with this? Well he could pay his bills for starters, but then what? Maybe he could have a full fridge of food? Yeah that sounded nice. Athelstan wrote a small list of things he could do to make use of the money he had and spent the day shopping.
Meanwhile that very same morning Ragnar and his friends were in a meeting with Haraldson who seemed very happy.
"So I take it your brilliant plan did not work?" Haraldson asked
"Sort of" Ragnar replied not giving anything away
Haraldson smiled and said "Well then we can continue as normal. Siggy has informed that the magazine is ready to be released. I've sighed the release form" he said handing Ragnar the form "I trust you have no problems with this?"
"Of course not" Ragnar replied tucking the form into his pocket
"Right then, I will take my leave" Haraldson said smirking as he left
"Yes! Now let's get to work on our magazine" Ragnar said. He and his friends put there magazine together and took it to the copiers. They showed them the form with Haraldson's signature and gave them their magazine.
When Ragnar went home he showed Lagertha the photo's with Athelstan and she agreed that he was adorable. She told Ragnar she would like to meet him and they should invite him to dinner sometime. He agreed and held tightly. Ragnar celebrated their victory with his wife that night and slept better than he had in months. Just a few more days he thought to himself. Just a few more days and their magazine would be popular again.