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“Stay.”
Sihtric pauses at his Lord’s words. He stands, his back to them and his legs poised. He’s intent on leaving them alone, to rest and recover, and he plans to return later when they need him. As he has done every night since their rescue. Well… that’s not exactly true. He swallows and blushes, thinking about how he’s spent most of those nights watching over them as they slept. Keeping back just far enough to not be noticed. He’s glad to have Uhtred back in his life. His Lord was the one who saved him, who looked at him as something more, who actually saw him. And their very brief flirting had been nice. And then the man had been sold and Sihtric’s world was thrown upside down. But he has his Lord back. His Lord and…
“C’mere.”
Sihtric can’t stop the shiver that runs down his spine at the other man’s voice. He had known the moment Uhtred opened his mouth and yelled when he held a sword to Halig’s throat. He was his. But then, when they were reunited, his Lord had been attached to a stranger. And he hadn’t unattached himself and Sihtric’s heart sunk. Until he heard his name in that thick, gravelly Irish accent. He is Finan’s too. He just doesn’t know how that is possible or what it means. He has two soulmates! He barely wrapped his head around being mated to his Lord and now they have a third to add to their mix. He knows deep in his heart and soul that it’s true, that they are meant to be. But Sihtric still hesitates. He doesn’t understand why they would even want him now, not when they have each other. They’ve spent the last couple years together on that ship. They don’t need him. So he sticks to the shadows, he watches them from the darkness and takes care of them when they need something.
“Sitty.”
He shivers again at his name in that thick accent. At least he thinks it’s meant to be his name. He admits that he hasn’t quite yet grasped deciphering Finan’s words as easily as his Lord.
“Sitty?” Uhtred’s voice is full of laughter. “Is that all you can manage, Fin?”
There’s a grunt or a growl, Sihtric isn’t sure which, before he hears the man’s answer. “Ye f’git I ain’t talked t’ no one ‘n years. Not ‘til ye. T’ boy will ‘ave t’ fergive me if I’ve offended.”
Sihtric’s mind struggles for a moment to untangle the words but he understands the last few. “No!” He gasps and turns around. “No, never!” He shakes his head quickly. “You uh… you can… call me… whatever you want.” He says softly and blushes.
A smile spreads across Finan’s weary face as he leans back against Uhtred. Both are laying on the ground, almost wrapped around each other, on top of a pile of furs. “Canne call ye ours?” He asks.
Sihtric smiles and nods, his blush darkening.
Uhtred smirks and lifts his arm from Finan’s side. He holds it out to Sihtric and waves him closer. “Stay.” He says, echoing himself. “Lay down with us.”
Sihtric bites his lip and looks down.
“If you want.” Uhtred adds quickly.
“I do.” Sihtric answers softly. “Very much. I… I never want to be away from you.”
“Then git o’er ‘ere, boy!”
Sihtric nods and scrambles to obey.