Chapter Text
Sunlight streamed through glass doors lighting up the kitchen and living area, a lone man sat quietly at the dining table letting the sun warm his back. Steam rose from the hot mug of coffee warming his hands. To Sihtric this silent, still time each morning was precious. He loved his partners and children dearly, but he needed this time alone each day to prepare for the chaos that would surely ensue. With 9 children between them, peace, quiet and stillness was rarely found in the active household.
He finished his first mug of coffee for the morning and headed back to his room to get dressed. He smiled as he walked in, taking a moment to appreciate the sight of Finan sleeping. He had moved around in bed since Sihtric rose and the blankets had been pulled down near his hips, exposing his barrel-like chest and toned muscles. One arm was thrown out to the side near his head, as if he had been reaching for his lovers in his sleep. Sihtric moved around the room collecting his clothes for the day as quietly as he could, doing his best not to disturb the sleeping man. He dressed quickly and quietly, pulling on his jeans and shirt. He made a point of picking out one of Uhtred’s hoodies to wear, pressing it to his face and taking in a deep breath before putting it on. It was too big for Sihtric, but it would have to do until the other man came home from his training mission next week.
Sihtric walked over the bedside table to collect his phone and wallet, putting them in his pockets. He slid his rings on tattooed fingers, fastened his leather bracelets and watch on his wrists. Suddenly he was being tugged towards the bed by the bearded man under the covers. His eyes were still closed as he wrapped his hand around Sihtric’s arm and pulled him down. The younger man let out a gentle laugh as he flailed slightly before sinking down to the mattress. He smiled as he felt Finan’s head snuggling into chest, turning to kiss the top of the other man’s head. Finan tried to wrap his body around Sihtric’s while Sihtric stroked his hand up and down the arm that had slunk across his chest.
“I can’t stay here, Fin” he whispered softly. “The children will be up soon.”
Finan just groaned and snuggled in tighter, hanging on to Sihtric like an octopus.
“I promise I will come back before you have to get up, ok sweetie?”
Another groan was the only response.
Sihtric smiled again as laid another gentle kiss on Finan’s head before gently kissing his cheek as he untangled himself from the vice-like grip Finan was holding him in.
“Love yer” The sleeping Irishman managed to mumble out. “...don’ forge’ yer helmet…”
“I love you to Fin” he giggled at the thickness of the sleeping man's accent and nonsense he was mumbling, wondering if he had been dreaming of Sihtric on his motorbike.
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The day went on like any other, Sihtric managed the morning chaos of getting the 6 youngest kids off to school without bloodshed. It was a Friday and Sihtric was secretly looking forward to having a movie night on the couch with the three youngest boys.
As promised he had come straight home from school drop off and gone back to bed to snatch the last 2 hours he had to snuggle with Finan before the other man had to get ready for his 12 hour shift with the local police department. Between Uhtred’s service in the Army, Finan’s in the Navy and Sihtric being called away to work contracts with Ragnar the three men were well versed in deeply appreciating the time they did get together, especially time alone.
In Sihtric’s opinion it was adorable how clingy Finan had been, lingering in the hall to embrace Sihtric and kiss him goodbye for the day. Sihtric had laughed him off, reminding him it was the weekend and he would stay up and wait for Finan’s midnight finish. They had parted, with Finan whispering dirty promises to Sihtric to think about until he got home.
Afternoon and evening had rolled around. The older teens disappearing for the night, Stiorra was heading out to the clubs with friends, Osbert to a friend’s from school. The oldest, 20 year old Oswald was secluding himself away at the library to work on his uni assignments and Sihtric’s youngest two were at their mothers for the weekend.
Aleksander, the youngest of the bunch at 5 was Sihtric’s constant shadow. His surprise arrival into the family after Uhtred had slept with a woman, Skade, that had been trying to gain his attention for months hadn’t been smooth. While the three men had spent years working on how to clearly communicate their needs to each other and agreeing on the ground rules in their relationship, the addition of a newborn had thrown them a curve ball they hadn’t been expecting. Now, Sihtric was extremely grateful they had worked through the issues of the boy's birth, the small boy brought boundless joy to everyone around him. Sihtric smiled as he watched Aleksander, Aethstan and Alfweard whispering conspiratorially together. The older boys, brothers, adopted by Finan had also brought a new dimension to the Brady bunch style Ragnarson/Rowley family. At 9, 8 and 5 these three were growing up together, Aethstan and Alfweard had come to them as babies and they knew nothing but the family unit Uhtred, Finan and Sihtric had worked tirelessly to create.
Sihtric called the boys to the table for dinner and was joined by his oldest, Cynlaef, who had come home from work. They talked and laughed as they ate, the younger ones sharing their stories from their day at school. Sihtric reassured them that Finan was working his last shift for the week and had the next 4 days off. They talked about what they would do when Uhtred came home from his week away at training, the boys rattling off all the usual traditions the family did to celebrate someone coming home. There were arguments and negotiations about what movie to watch that night and demands for ice cream made.
Sihtric had made a deal that if the boys cleaned up dinner he would go out to buy ice cream before they settled in to watch the movie. There was very little in the world that Sihtric could deny any of the children. His own upbringing had been horrifying and traumatic, Sihtric was always keen to bring even the slightest of happiness to his family. Sihtric had made quick work of ducking down to the supermarket a few blocks away from home. He checked his phone as he slid into his SUV, smiling as he looked at the group chat where Cylnaef had sent pictures telling him the boys were ready and waiting for him. His smile turned to a smirk as he read a lewd message Finan had sent as a reminder of what he had promised as he left the house earlier. Sihtric put on his favourite playlist, one that Finan hated and said no one could understand. He let himself enjoy the feeling of contentment as he drove away, looking forward to chilling out with the boys and then excited for what would come when they were asleep.
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he pulled up at a stop light, happily singing along to the song blasting out of the sound system. He checked the intersection was clear as he started to move when the light turned green. Halfway through the intersection there was a flicker of white in his peripheral vision. As he turned his head towards the flash of white he felt his stomach drop, headlights flooded his vision. A car was hurtling towards him, closing in fast. He had no time to react as he felt the other car smash into him, the force spinning him wildly off course. He had no chance at controlling his car as airbags went off around him, his body was thrown around in all directions and suddenly he felt the world tip on its axis as the car rolled once, twice, before it came to a violent stop on its roof. His senses were completely overrun, the sound of the metal buckling and breaking had been deafening, there was the acrid smell of fluids leaking from the tangled mess that had been the engine in front of him and his face felt like it was on fire from the force of the airbag hitting him. Pain shot through his body as gravity forced him to slide head first towards the ground, he groaned as the seatbelt caught and dug in. For a split second, suspended by the belt holding him tight, all he could think of was the need to be free of the cramped wreckage, then his world went black as he drifted out of consciousness.