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The battle had been fierce and the surviving warriors were gradually returning to camp to count the cost and treat their wounds.
Sihtric was the last of the three to enter the tent. Finan had already helped Uhtred remove his armour and undershirt, displaying his muscled torso, bruised, but otherwise unharmed. Sihtric approached them, running a soothing hand across Uhtred’s shoulders as he raised an enquiring eyebrow towards Finan, “You hurt?”. Finan shook his head. He looked tired but that was to be expected. They had given their all today.
Sihtric moved to Finan’s side where they each helped the other unbuckle his leathers. They didn’t speak. There was no need, they were all back safely and now they needed to rest.
When their gear was finally piled on the floor, they slumped into their usual places next to each other on their makeshift mattress. Uhtred in the middle. Finan on his right, and Sihtric on his left. “Thank the Gods that’s over” exhaled Uhtred. It had been a long, bloody day. He winced as he put an arm around each of his men. “Love you” he sighed sleepily. “Love?” Finan replied, with a glint in his smiling eyes, “I thought we were just fucking?”. Uhtred gently slapped the side of Finan’s head, and Sihtric giggled. They knew it was love. It simply hadn’t been said aloud before.