Work Text:
Sihtric had been excited for weeks about the upcoming celebrations. Easter in Coccham was different to festivities in other parts of Wessex. Whilst Uhtred didn’t forbid anyone from celebrating the Christian holiday, he certainly didn’t encourage it. Instead, the people of Coccham paid tribute to the older traditions honouring springtime, nature and new life. It was a joyous occasion and culminated in a huge feast where travelling showmen would entertain the crowds.
Ahead of the feast, Uhtred and Finan spent the morning in the woods hunting. What they really wanted to bring home was an impressive wild boar to add to those that were already being prepared. But as usual they’d got distracted and instead, were returning with two medium sized rabbits and a runaway chicken.
Sihtric hadn’t hadn’t joined them this time, saying he needed to sort out his herbs, medicines and the rest of his apothecary paraphernalia which was gradually taking over every spare cupboard and drawer they had.
As Uhtred and Finan got closer to home, laughing and joking, their bare arms brushing together, they heard singing and could see movement through the open door of the house.
The sound and image became clearer as they approached. Their beautiful boy, wearing just his britches, was prancing around inside, with a huge smile on his face, singing a very out of tune melody. His well-defined, lithe body moved with familiar grace. His dark curls bounced playfully over his eyes. And his muscled arms clearly showed their strength as he swung them through the air.
Uhtred and Finan stopped still. They were far enough away that Sihtric hadn’t seen them yet. And he was so lost in his performance, he was unlikely to notice them anyway.
The tune was familiar. It was Finan who placed it first, “It’s the bloody dancing dogs!”. And it was. Sihtric was singing the tune the traveller with the band of dancing dogs played on his flute every year whilst the dressed-up dogs entertained the crowds on their hind legs.
The men stayed in place to quietly watch and admire their beautiful, clever, serious boy enjoy his childlike excitement. They really were so very lucky to have him.