Work Text:
He closes his eyes and tips his head back. Rain pours down still even after the fires have settled and every inch of Bebbanburg is wet. Still, Uhtred stands and revels in it. He feels himself crying but it’s hard for him to tell, with the rain cascading down his face. He breathes in deeply and he can’t believe it’s real. He can’t believe it’s finally happened. Nearly a lifetime, he feels like he's been fighting to get back in these walls.
Partly for himself, yes. For him and his children and the ones to follow. But also for them. For the two men that have followed him for countless years, that have been behind him and beside him for everything. His men. His best friends, his partners, his lovers, his husbands. None of the words seem enough to describe everything they are to him. They are so much more. They are… just everything! His whole world and neither of them have ever had a real home, a real place that is all theirs, not owned by the King or filled with torment, a place to feel safe and loved and happy. Coccham had been okay for a while. And Rumcofa had been closer. But this is different. This will be different.
Although Uhtred still believes his home is wherever they are. His home is with them. A romantic notion that has stuck with him since they all met, since the three spinners threw them together. Uhtred smiles as he feels them. He doesn’t hear them, not with the sounds of the rain around him. But he can feel them.
“Lord…” Sihtric’s voice is soft, almost timid, like he doesn’t want to disturb the moment. And he doesn’t. He was perfectly content to just wait until Uhtred was finished with whatever he was doing. Sihtric was just going to wait until the man sought them out. And then Finan had grabbed his hand and tugged him up the stairs.
Finan smiles, glancing sideways at Sihtric as he moves closer to the younger man. He rubs his shoulder against him before looking at their Lord. “Uhtred.”
There is still a smile lacing his lips when he turns. It only seems to widen and Uhtred can’t stop the laugh bubbling up from his throat. He darts closer and wraps his arms around them both, pulling them closer. “Fuck…” He breathes out and he can feel the tears hot on his face. He leans closer and places his head on Sihtric’s shoulder while he wraps his fingers around the back of Finan’s neck.
“Lord…” Sihtric starts softly, touching the man’s back. “Uhtred, are you alright?”
“I am perfect, my good boy.” Uhtred says, looking at him. Sihtric blushes and smiles and his nose wrinkles, just like so many times over the years. Their age difference isn’t so much anymore, hasn’t been in countless years. The three of them have been together for years more than the boy’s age when they first met. And still, the nickname sticks and still affects them all the same. Uhtred keeps his head against him but turns his gaze to Finan, to their strong rock, who always keeps them together, always keeps them standing. And maybe there are wrinkles by his eyes and etched in his forehead. But he hasn’t aged any worse than the rest. Time has been as good to him and Uhtred still loves feeling that rough beard against his skin. “I love you.” He says softly. “I love both of you. And I can’t wait to share this place with you.”