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Uhtred worried at his bottom lip as he paced outside of the large church. He wouldn’t do it. He couldn’t do it. Nope. He stopped and shook his head. He wasn’t doing it. He was going back home and pretending this day never existed and yeah, he wasn’t going to do it ever.
“Uhtred.” Finan stepped closer and grabbed Uhtred’s arm, stopping him before he fled. Uhtred turned towards him and there were tears in his eyes. Finan pulled Uhtred against him and wrapped his arms around him tightly. Uhtred tucked his head against Finan’s chest as more tears collected in his eyes.
Beside them, Sihtric hesitated. He still wasn't completely sure of his role in their not-quite-yet relationship. It had been a little over a year since they came into each other’s lives and all three still knew they were destined to be together one day. But Sihtric also knew his younger age made them keep their distance. It was frustrating for him, because he felt the need and longing to be close to them, but he understood. He was just grateful for being included. He knew Uhtred was nervous about the situation and Sihtric felt the need to help him in any way he could.
“I can’t.” Uhtred sobbed against Finan’s chest and clung to him tighter.
Sihtric stepped closer to them and reached out to tentatively touch Uhtred’s face. Those bright blue eyes opened immediately and blinked at him. Sihtric inhaled sharply as Uhtred’s eyes seemed to almost suck him in. For a moment, the boy felt like he was drowning in the intense blue flames, threatening to engulf him completely. But Sihtric didn’t look away or move. He rubbed his thumb under Uhtred’s eye, along his cheekbone and wiping away his tears.
Uhtred closed his eyes again and breathed out. They stood there like that for a few moments longer, with Finan holding him tightly and Sihtric stroking his face. Then Uhtred breathed out again and slowly detached himself and pushed away from Finan. The oldest boy released him and stepped away. The youngest likewise stepped back and dropped his arm to his side. “Thanks.” Uhtred said softly and stepped closer to Finan again. He pressed a quick kiss to the man’s lips and before retreating again. He turned towards Sihtric but before he could even reach for the boy, Finan grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
“Uhtred.” There was a warning tone in Finan’s voice.
Uhtred turned and glared at him. “I wasn’t going to do anything bad!” He insisted. “I was just going to kiss his forehead!”
Finan shook his head. “No.”
Uhtred threw back his head and let out a groan dramatically. “Fine!” He snapped and wrenched his arm away from Finan. He glanced at Sihtric. “One day.” He promised and then promptly spun back around towards the church.
Sihtric’s eyes widened for a moment at Uhtred’s words and his look and he wished Finan had let the older boy kiss him, even if his intent had only been his forehead. Sihtric craved them both more than he could understand.
“Come on.” Uhtred snapped, opening the doors. “Before I chicken out again.” Finan waved at Sihtric, hardly even looking at him, and both hurried to catch up. The three slipped into the church and weaved through the pews to the back. It was mostly empty, just a few die hard parishioners. They didn’t stop until they reached the priest's office. Uhtred didn’t knock and simply pulled the door open. “Father Beocca!”
“Uhtred, my boy!” The priest smiled warmly and drew the young man against him. He hugged him tightly and patted him on the back. Then he released him and stepped away. But the smile on his face quickly faltered as he noticed the look on Uhtred’s face. “Son, has something happened? Are you okay?”
Uhtred looked away and breathed out. He might not have cared about the priest’s church or his God. But Uhtred loved the man enough to respect his faith. “I…” He started and stopped as fear gripped him again. He glanced over his shoulder at Finan and Sihtric and both stared back at him just as intensely. He could feel their love and support through their growing bond and he took strength and comfort from them. He turned back to Father Beocca and breathed out again.
“Uhtred.” Father Beocca stepped closer and reached out to touch Uhtred’s shoulder. “I sense there is something you want to say to me and I am always here for you. If it troubles you this much, please tell me, my boy. I do not like seeing you so stressed.”
Uhtred nodded his head. “I do have something I want to tell you, Father. Something… personal.”
Father Beocca glanced at the two younger men behind him. “We can speak in private…”
Uhtred nodded his head. “Yes, but them, too. I need them here, too.”
Father Beocca nodded his head and waved them forward. “Come in, my children, and close the door behind you.” He waited until they had done just that before he turned back to Uhtred. “Now, tell me what troubles you.”
Uhtred nodded his head slowly and breathed out. The priest had always been like a father to him, more loving than his own father, who had died when he was barely old enough to remember. And after his adopted father died, Father Beocca had continued to treat him the same, as if he were his own. Father Beocca was the one man in his life whom Uhtred couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing. He took a deep breath and nodded. “I… want you… to know…” He shook himself and tried to steady his wavering voice. “I’ve found my soulmates.”
A smile spread across his face and he hugged Uhtred again tightly. “My boy, that is great news! I am happy for you!” Then he pulled back and tilted his head. “Soulmates?” He repeated. “More than one?”
Uhtred nodded his head. “There are three of us that fate has intertwined and I… I’d like you to meet them.”
Father Beocca frowned for a moment and looked past Uhtred, at the two behind him. The older one was standing with his arms crossed and staring at the floor. The younger one was half hidden behind him and biting his lip nervously. “Uhtred.” Father Beocca pressed closer. “You are an adult now. How young is he?”
Uhtred’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open indignantly. “He’s here because he wants to be!” He snapped. “We aren’t forcing him! We haven’t even touched him!”
Sihtric blushed and stepped further behind Finan, hiding himself completely. “It’s true, sir.” He said softly. “Finan won’t let him.”
Uhtred gasped and turned. “Sihtric!”
Sihtric peeked out from behind the very amused looking Finan and shrugged. “Well it’s true!”
Father Beocca sighed and shook his head. “Uhtred…”
“He’s 15, Beocca!” Uhtred admitted, interrupting him. “But we cannot help that fate had brought us together when it did! You cannot blame me!”
Father Beocca sighed and shook his head. He reached out and pulled Uhtred against him again, hugging him. Uhtred was too shocked to react and just stood there, dumbfounded, until the priest released him and stepped back again. “Uhtred, I know how fate works. I am not blaming you and I am not judging you for them. But I will be watching you more closely.” He glanced around Uhtred at the other two. “I will be watching you all more closely.”
Finan nodded his head. “Yes, sir.”
Sihtric once again ducked behind Finan and nodded as well. “Yes, sir.” He mumbled softly.
Father Beocca nodded. “Good. Are you boys hungry?”